GOD OF PEACE HIMSELF SANCTIFIES US
Now may the God of peaceG1515 Himself sanctifyG37 you completely,
and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless
at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
Sanctify is a “churchy” word, so we looked it up in The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament:
G37 hagiázō; fut. hagiásō, from hágios (G40), holy. To make holy, sanctify.
(I) To make clean, render pure.
(B) Metaphorically, to render clean in a moral sense, to purify, sanctify (Rom. 15:16, “being sanctified by the Holy Ghost,” meaning by the sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit on the heart. See 1 Cor. 6:11; Eph. 5:26; 1 Thess. 5:23; 1 Tim. 4:5; Heb. 2:11; 10:10, 14, 29; 13:12; Rev. 22:11). (96)
(A) Particularly in Heb. 9:13.
Charles Swindoll makes an important point about sanctification:
Paul points out that sanctification is ultimately God’s work in us, not our work for him. Yes, we are active in yielding to the power of the Spirit and depending on His gracious and powerful provision, but it is ultimately God who is working in us “both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:12–13) (97)
In concluding his letter to the church at Thessalonica, Paul pronounced a blessing on them. He prayed the “God of Peace” Himself would sanctify them—cleanse them and set them apart for His service. Peace indicates far more than calmness or absence of trouble. The word used encompasses the Old Testament idea of shalom—nothing missing, nothing broken, completely whole. God takes our brokenness and makes us whole. He washes away our sinfulness and purifies us by placing His Holy Spirit within us to guide us. It is God Himself who restores our peace and makes us holy. God Himself has called us to trust in Jesus:
John 6:44 (NLT) For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up.
God is also the One who sanctifies us, purifies us, prepares us to live with Him forever. God is faithful to do what He promises. He plans to make us more like Jesus which is sanctification.
Romans 8:28-30 And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.
God has a plan for us, and it is He who enables us to fulfill His plan. He revealed to Jeremiah that He had chosen and set him apart to be His prophet before he was even born!
Jeremiah 1:4-5 (NLT) The Lord gave me this message: “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”
If you know Jesus as your Lord, you have a God given purpose as well. His Holy Spirit indwells you in order to guide you and sanctify you for service. Ask the Lord to show you how best to fulfill His purposes in your life. Then act in obedience to what the Holy Spirit reveals through Scripture and prayer. God will be faithful to make sure you finish well:
Philippians 1:6 (NLT) And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Father, thank You that since we cannot possibly make ourselves holy, You Yourself sanctify us and keep us at peace with You. You will empower us to fulfill Your purpose in us. We simply need to lean into You, listen to the Holy Spirit’s promptings, and move in obedience to Your will and ways.
Worship along with Steve Green singing “He Who Began a Good Work in You”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNjZlHARnEk