“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.” 1st Thessalonians 5:23-24

The first part of this passage contains Paul’s prayer for the children of God as they walk in this world. He does not pray for their final adoption, that is already certain in the covenant of election. That is based on the faithfulness of God to PRESERVE us not our perseverance. But he does pray that the same God who will preserve them as adopted sons will bless them in time to set themselves apart from the world as the live in it.

This should be very encouraging for the child of God. In this, we can see that we are not alone in our struggle against sin in our lives. God, Who reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, daily grants us grace to stand against the world. By His mercy, we are able to separate ourselves and walk holy here and now.

This practice of sanctifying ourselves for God’s use should be encouraged and prayed for in each of our lives.