Entirely Sanctified

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Scripture

I Thess. 5:23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound[f] and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.


Observation

This benediction is prayed for the Thessalonians and it expresses the goal of the Christian life. Paul prays that they would be entirely sanctified. He desires that they would be holy people through and through, a complete and total reflection of Jesus Christ in the world. This is possible through the grace of God who draws our spirit, soul and body ever closer to the original Image — Christ.

When Christ returns he will know us because we will resemble him! He is calling us to this life and drawing us nearer — and he will be faithful to continue to be entirely reflected in us!

Application

Have you ever looked at yourself in a full-length mirror? The further we are from the mirror, the smaller our reflection in that mirror. The closer we are, the more our reflection fills the entire mirror and we look — huge!

Imagine that we are the mirror, created to reflect the Image of God — Jesus Christ. The further we are from him, the smaller his reflection is in us. To be holy through and through — to be entirely and completely holy we are so filled with his Image that his reflection fills the entire mirror. Only the frame is left — the unique character that God has placed in you and me as his people.

His desire is that we are entirely and completely filled with him!

Paul prayed this for the Thessalonians and it should be our prayer for ourselves and others today. Every part of our being is to be in alignment with Christ so that he is reflected in our words, our attitudes, our actions and motivations! It is possible — and God will do it!

He will do it, but too often we get in the way. There is that distracted glance from one side to another. The things of this world grab our attention and we can be drawn away and enticed. This is why we must pray that we will be sanctified entirely both in a moment and then every single day for the remainder of our lives.

Prayer

Lord, may you be reflected completely in me today and every day.  Amen.

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