Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 5:23
Tue, 19 July 2022

God’s Sanctifying Work in Us

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about God’s work of
sanctification in us?

Deeper Reflection
PAUL PRAYS FOR THE SANCTIFICATION OF THE THESSALONIANS twice in his letter (v.23; 1 Thess 3:12-13). Apparently, Paul “makes this a regular topic in his prayer”48 for the Thessalonians. Is this so for us – for ourselves and for others?The God who sanctifies us is “the God of peace”. “Peace” here is “almost synonymous with Christian ‘salvation’”49, as in “having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom 5:1). Paul’s prayer has two parallel parts: “sanctify” and “be kept blameless”, “completely” and “your whole spirit and soul and body”.The early church fathers mostly held a tripartite view of our humanness: “spirit and soul and body”50. But the New Testament usually describes our humanness as having two parts: the one material – body, and the other immaterial – soul and spirit. “Soul” and “spirit” are often synonymous in Scripture, as in Mary’s prayer: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour” (Lk 1:46-47). But God has created us as whole persons and Paul has the whole person in mind in his prayer.When God sanctifies us as whole persons, our “inner being” (spirit and soul) is “renewed”, but our “outer being” (body) is “decaying” (2 Cor 4:16). So, while we become weaker on the outside, we become stronger on the inside. This divine sanctification is eschatological in nature: toward “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v.23). And it is only on that day that Christ “will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body” (Phil 3:21).
48 Gary S. Shogren, 233 49 Gene L. Green, 267 50 John R. W. Stott, 133
Application:

How will I walk in sanctification in light of Paul’s prayer for the sanctification of the Thessalonians?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for pastors and staff: That God will establish their hearts blameless in holiness before Him47
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

47 1 Thessalonians 3:13

Download this Building Fund QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

Download this General Fund for East QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

Download this General Fund for WDL QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
John 20:19-21; Luke 4:14-21
Mon, 2 October 2023

Sent by the Lord

Observation:

What is the analogy that Jesus used in sending forth His disciples (v.21)?

Deeper Reflection
As we enter the month of October with our upcoming two Missions Sundays, let us focus our attention and prayers on Covenant EFC’s third Faith Exploit, “Disciple the Nations”. In today’s Scripture, verse 21 is a very significant statement that Jesus said to His disciples after His resurrection. And it applies equally to all those who are Jesus’ disciples today. There are three key observations we can make.First, the analogy that Jesus used – His having been sent by the Father – points us to Jesus’ foundational teachings that He came to accomplish the very will and works of the Father (Jn 4:34; 5:30, 36; cf. Lk 4:14-21). Second, the idea of Jesus’ disciples being “sent” reminds us that world missions is not a result of human initiative, but is God-initiated and God-directed. It is God’s mission in the world. Third, verse 21 reminds us that Jesus is not merely calling us to join God in His mission, but to relate to Him as our heavenly Father – in love, obedience and dependence.1Therefore, the more fundamental question is not “Are we being sent?” or “What must we do?”. Rather, it is “To what extent do we understand and treasure our sonship in relation to God our Father (Jn 20:17)?” So that, as beloved children of God, we will respond rightly to our heavenly Father who created us in His image, redeemed us in Jesus Christ, and called us to join Him in His mission. Out of gratitude and love towards God, we joyfully walk in the Lord’s will for us, and fully rely on His resources as we faithfully serve Him.
1 This is consistent with John’s emphasis in his writings on the Father-Son relationship that anchored and motivated Jesus in all that He did in submission and obedience to the Father’s will.
Application:

How do the purposes for which Jesus sends forth His disciples impact the
way I plan and live out the years of my life?

Prayer:
Dear Father in heaven, what manner of love You have bestowed on me that I should be called Your child! Every opportunity given to me to carry out Your will is a privilege for me to participate in Your glorious purposes. Help me to clearly discern the things that You want me to accomplish and to faithfully work at them with a heart that loves and depends on You and always seeks Your glory. Amen.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

Download this New Life Fund QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

Download this General Fund for BPJ QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.