Paul's prayer for Christians is that the God of peace would sanctify
them completely (1 Thess. 5:23). His assurance is that 'he is faithful,
who will do it' (v. 24).
From this prayer we learn firstly, that the one who sanctifies us is
God. As God gave us our beings, so he gives us our holiness. It is not
by nature but by grace that we are made holy. Secondly, we learn that the
one who sanctifies us is emphatically declared to be God himself. If God
does not do it, no?one else will. And thirdly, we learn that the one who
sanctifies us is the 'God of peace' (Rom. 15:33; 16:20; 2 Cor. 13:11; Phil.
4:9; Hel). 13:20).
Sanctified by the God of peace
Sanctification is a fruit of that peace with God which he has made and
prepared for us byJesus Christ. 'God was in Christ reconciling the world
to himself' (2 Con. 5:19).
God, by sanctifying our natures, keeps that peace which we have with
him. It is holiness that keeps up a sense of peace with God, and prevents
those spiritual sins which still tend to break out from the corrupt nature
still left within us. So God, as the author of our peace, is also the author
of our holiness. Continue at Banner of Truth
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