Sunday, May 19, 2013
TEXT: 1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-28
Key Verse : “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
Among other things, he advised them to rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, quench not the Spirit and abstain from all appearances of evil. The apostle believed that if a believer carefully observes the principles of keeping fresh (as listed), the Almighty God will also do His own part by sanctifying and preserving the believer unto the end.
In the text today, he reminds believers that the Christian journey demands full and focused involvement. He also points out that there are two angles to a believer’s success in the faith. Whereas he has some obligations to meet, the Almighty has a role in strengthening him. When believers observe the simple rules of constant fellowship with the Almighty, their Christian journey becomes a lot easier.
As Paul was a father-figure over the brethren in the Thessalonian church whose life and wise counsel immensely impacted their lives, so must believers today cultivate the habit of listening to, and emulating the lifestyles of true, worthy and committed leaders in the church.
Beyond all this is the readiness of God to sanctify those who have humbly satisfied His simple demand for entire sanctification, the second definite work of grace. Why not plunge into this experience today?
Thought for the Day : By wise counsel, a city is saved from enemy invasion.