"He Will Do It" October 3 Readings: 1 Thessalonians 5

 

Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2024

This year, instead of reading from Genesis to Revelation, we will read the Bible as the story flows, as it happened and was written. There are several plans out there and I have worked to combine them into a plan that lets the Bible tell its own story "as it happened." Remember, the Bible is inspired, but not in the order the books appear in our Bibles.  The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New. 

Bible Readings: 1 Thessalonians 5

Background:  

This passage concludes the book of 1 Thessalonians with several powerful teachings. It begins with a section about the "day of the Lord" - a general reference to the end times. Because we do not know when the Lord is coming, we are admonished always to be ready.

The final section contains a rapid-fire series of commands from Paul to the church, containing many brief but powerful teachings. Verses 16-19 are especially memorable.

The closing benediction in verses 23-24 reminds us of the goodness of God.

Daily Devotional: He Will Do It

Laziness is never a spiritual gift, but Christians must remember the source of our strength for living the Christian life. The final chapter of 1 Thessalonians has a hidden treasure that is not well known, but should be. It is a benediction, a blessing Paul prayed for friends in Thessalonika, filled with truths and teachings for all of us because of the promise he attaches to the blessing. 

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

That is a big prayer. "Sanctified completely." Not just part but "your whole spirit and soul and body" kept blameless. That's hard. Each of us who has been redeemed has the hope that one day the struggle will be over and we will be utterly and completely redeemed - sin will be defeated. We will be made new, perfected, and sinless like Jesus Christ. 

How does this happen? Certainly not by our own efforts. I could not save myself and I am just as helpless to perfect myself, to complete my salvation. Jesus began my redemption and will finish it. Verse 24 is incredibly comforting. 

He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 

Jesus called us to salvation and to sanctification. It is a big job. Sinful people like you and me are called to live holy lives, to say no to sin, and to become like Jesus. It is like asking a fish to walk on land or asking us to fly. It is beyond our abilities to be holy, to be like Jesus. I don't have to work up the will or the power to become what God wants me to be. He is faithful. He will do it! 

Again, that doesn't imply that I sit motionless awaiting the power of God to magically transform me. As Christians, we seek God, we seek to do what we are called to do, to walk in obedience. Still, we must always remember that the power comes from God. He is with us to strengthen us. He never leaves us or forsakes us. He will finish the work he began. What he calls us to do he empowers us to do. He is faithful!

Thank you, Father, for you power that strengthens me to do what you have called me to do and sanctifies me to make me blameless in your eyes. 

Consider God's Word:

Give thanks to God for his provision of power and grace.