Santification: The Will of God

"For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you." (1 Thessalonians 4:3-6, ESV)

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-22, ESV)

I have a little mantra that I give to my flock over and over again about the will of God. The universal will of God for everyone is quite simple. Love God! Love Neighbor! Tell people about Jesus! Okay, that really is an over-simplification, but I think it communicates the point clearly.

The most important thing we need to do in our life is to Love God, glorify him in all things. The Westminster Shorter Catechism stands it wonderfully in the first question, “What is the chief end of man? Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” This is end game: the glory of God. So therefore in order to glorify God we love each other and our neighbors. We show God’s love in this world. We allow Holy Spirit of God to work through us to demonstrate this love. And the best way to love this world is to share the good news that Jesus Christ, who was crucified, is risen. We need to tell people about Jesus so they to might understand the purpose of life is to glorify God.

It is a cute little mantra and I think helps people understand some difficult concepts and moves them away from the distracting and sometimes paralyzing question of “what is God’s will for my life?” The answer, of course, is to glorify God.

I love what Paul says in his letter to the Thessalonians as we expounds more fully on the will of God for them. Paul writes an encouraging letter to the community of faith—basically thanking them for keeping the faith and being an example of love to the community. He further encourages them and points out the God is not done with them yet. That God’s will is to continue to perfect them (sanctification) in this life so that they can further glorify him. God will continue to work in them to move them away from evil and the lusts of this world. Then Paul states clearly do not quench the Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that is wanting and doing this work in us—let us not get in the way of God’s will of sanctification for us.

Let us not get in the way of God’s will for us. Let us not get in the way of God’s work. Instead let us join in it by rejoicing always and praying without ceasing.