He Will Do It!

He Will Do It!
written by Chris Baker

Have you ever received an encouraging letter? Do you have those in your life that are encouragers? Mentors like this can spur us on and motivate us to be better people. They can even speak to us about sensitive and convicting things because they speak from a place of love. We have a special relationship with mentors like this and our love for one another is mutual. When we know that we are truly loved by someone then we are more apt to listen to what they have to say. You know the person is speaking to you out of a place of love and deep concern. This kind of mentor does not have a personal agenda, rather, they want the absolute best for you out of love for you! This is the kind of relationship we see between the Apostle Paul and the Thessalonian Church. 

Paul visited the Thessalonian Church on his second missionary journey (Acts 17:2). Paul had to leave Thessalonica because of rising persecution, however, he later sent Timothy back to check on them. Since Paul had only spent a short time with the Thessalonian Church, he feared the enemy may have led them astray, away from their faith. Fortunately, Timothy brings Paul an encouraging report about the condition of the Thessalonian believers. Throughout this letter, Paul not only encourages the church, he also wanted to strengthen their spiritual relationship with the Lord Jesus. 

One of the overarching themes I see in this letter is one of a holy lifestyle. Paul mentions how he lived among the Thessalonians as an example. This should motivate us in our witnessing as well. Paul not only preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ to them, he also lived it out in front of them! He modeled the Christian life before them. Paul spurs the Thessalonians on to holiness. Unfortunately, people have associated this word “holiness” with legalism. It has become a negative word associated with following a bunch of do’s and don’ts. On the contrary, this could not be further from the truth. Paul’s desire is for the church to be sanctified, to be filled with the Holy Spirit of God. When sanctified, the believer will be empowered through the power of the Holy Spirit, to live a holy life. Paul says in 1 Thess. 4:7, “God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life” (NIV). The Lord would not ask us to do something without providing the means to do it. Some of the Thessalonians were reverting to their previous lifestyles, which is why Paul prays for their sanctification. 

Do not be intimidated by the word sanctification, rather, lean into it. Jesus offers us freedom, but the devil wishes to keep us bound to our sin! The Apostle John writes in 1 John 2:1-2, “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. ² He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” (NIV). Unfortunately, I cannot unpack all that is involved with the concept of holiness in this post. However, one thing is clear, Paul is encouraging the church to turn from their former way of life and embrace Jesus. The closer we draw to Jesus the more we will be transformed into His image. If we have the Holy Spirit living and dwelling within us, then we can live a life pleasing to Him. 

Is your desire to please Jesus? Is your desire to be as much like Him as humanly possible? Then ask the Holy Spirit of God to fill your heart and enable you to do so. Paul ends His letter with a beautiful promise! “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it” (1 Thess. 5:23-24). Read that last sentence again, He will do it! The Lord does the work, He is the one who sanctifies, we simply cooperate with the Holy Spirit of God. Let go and just believe that God will do the work He promised to do! ”May God Himself…sanctify you…The one who calls you is faithful…He will do it!”

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