1 Thessalonians 5:23 "Sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

"Sanctify" Greek 'hagiazo' comes from the same family tree as 'saint' which means "one who is reserved for God" to be used in His service. To be used one must be fit for service. Implied in the words "preserve blameless" is the idea of being completely reserved for God and placed under His absolute control. Look at something of the meaning of being under the sanctifying control of God.

No longer under the world's control - we are in the world but not of the world. It is only by being set apart from the world that we can serve the world. We are set apart by God from the world's influence, and separated to God's interest.

We Are Set Apart From the World's Lawlessness

(See 2 Timothy 3:1-5 ). Only in God's people can the world see the joy and health of being under the government of God.

We Are Set Apart From the World's Disobedience to Authority

(Romans 13:1-7 ) Showing our reverence for God..

We Are Set Apart From the World's Mould

"Do not let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God remold your lives from within. (Romans 12:2-3)." Phillips.

Under God's control we present the corrective standard of God to the world. We are enlisted under God's control to present God's alternative society.

Every member of the church is to be sanctified. What a vision God has for the local church - a composite sanctification! Everyone under His control, ready, as His army, for action - clean and fit for service.

Every part of our tripartite nature - spirit - soul and body.

• Our SPIRIT is our God-consciousness, under His sway, cleansed so communication is not impaired.

• Our SOUL - that is our self-consciousness - cleansed and under His control, brings right thinking (Philippians 4:8 ). Right emotion directed toward God. Right decision-making because of the will being submitted to God's will.

• Our BODY - that is our fellow-man consciousness. Our bodies involved in the work of God, becoming the vehicle of expressing God's will in the earth. Christ announced " A body You have prepared for Me" (Hebrews 10:5 ). The great truth of His incarnation. It is still true that God is fleshed out in the world by His sanctified people, for our bodies are "members of Christ" (1 Corinthians 6:15 ).

All our being personally united under His sanctifying control results in holy readiness for effective service, clean vessels fit for His use (Isaiah 55:11 ).

Sanctified under His sway we will be found "preserved blameless" at the Lord's coming. To live loosely could bring shock at His coming. To be under His control means being unashamed at His coming (1 John 2:28 ), and boldness (1 John 4:17 ) because we are like Him in the world.

1 Thessalonians 5:24 "He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it."

The calling and promise are effectual because we have the guarantee of His faithfulness, to His oath, covenant of grace, to His promises, He the God of peace will do it.

Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;"

QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Do you believe that by coming under the control of the God of peace, your life will be "preserved blameless at the Lord's coming"?
   • What does it mean for your whole tripartite being to be under the Lord's control?
   • Do you believe that because He is faithful He will do it?