By the Holy Spirit in our union with Christ, the Father is carrying out His sanctifying work in the entirety of our being. He Himself will sanctify us completely. Day by day His grace is at work to form Christ in us and to grow us to what we already are in Christ. Why does this seem familiar to us?

 

“He who calls you is faithful.” (1 Thess. 5:24, NKJV)

Paul began his letter to the Thessalonians by extending grace and peace to them in the name of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thess. 1:1). He wanted to lift their eyes to their God and the One to whose kingdom they belonged and whose hope they possessed.

Now as he winds down his letter, Paul wants to once again direct their attention to this God of glory and grace and His Messiah through whom His blessings come. “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:23).

The apostle’s letter has been full of encouragement, admonition, and instruction. He has girded them with hope and directed them to faithful obedience. Yet throughout he has contextualized these things in the gospel of Jesus Christ (e.g., 1 Thess. 1:4-5; 5:9).

Paul continues this gospel focus by invoking the handiwork of God’s grace. In so doing, he gives us a vivid reminder that we persevere because God preserves us. We work out our salvation because God is at work in us. The grace that’s brought us safe thus far is the grace that will lead us home.

Though we are called to be holy, it is “the God of peace Himself” who will sanctify us completely (1 Thess. 5:23). Why does Paul speak of God here as the God of peace? Why not the God of love, or faith, or hope, or power, as he does elsewhere?

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