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Daily Devotionals
John Gossner's Treasury
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24.
It is a sanctification perfect and complete, a sanctification of the whole man, of spirit, soul and body, that the apostle demands. A blamelessness unto the day of Christ, unto the coming of the Lord, must adorn the conversation of the Christian; otherwise he cannot stand at His coming. But there are many dangers in this world, much of depravity in ourselves, and it is impossible for us in our own strength to press through and reach this sanctification and blamelessness. Therefore the apostle points out the true fountain and the right way that leads to it. He says that the ’God of peace" shall sanctify us; and this He is willing to do. For this purpose He bestows upon us in rich measure His Holy Spirit, who can make and preserve "spirit and soul and body" holy and undefiled, not only outwardly, superficially, in the manner of the Pharisees, but in our very being. The way that leads to such sanctification is believing prayer and active piety together with confidence in the faithfulness of the Lord that He will surely help and strengthen us when we do not hinder Him, but each day, pursuing holiness, surrender ourselves to Him. In him whom He has called, and in whom He has begun His precious work, will He also perform it. Whom God has justified, him will He also sanctify and glorify so that he becomes like to the image of His Son. But nothing is here so much in God’s way as our little faith, our distrust and fear that our sanctification is something impossible. Such thoughts paralyze us; close the door of our hearts to grace; vex the Holy Spirit and work that we ultimately lose all grace. For he who does not desire to become perfectly pure and holy, is not fit for the kingdom of God. Semi-saints, superficially sanctified persons, are of no use in heaven. "Wholly" sanctified or not at all. Think of this! God is faithful. He, He mark it! shall do it. Your weak faith will not hinder Him.
Make me to walk in Thy commands;
’Tis a delightful road;
Nor let my head, or heart, or hands.
Offend against my God.
