Thursday April 28, 2022

Today is Thursday, April 28 and we are exploring what the bible says about the work of the Holy Spirit in sanctification.

As I begin this time of prayer, I pause and become still. I breathe slowly and deeply and center myself upon the triune God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Pause and Pray

Father God, open my heart and enlighten my mind as I search your holy word. Lord Jesus, open the scriptures to me and reveal your truth. Come, Holy Spirit, be my helper and guide as I seek to grow in Christian maturity. Amen.

I seek the Lord’s stalwart presence and praise him for his steadfast love with the words of Psalm 59.

I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely. Psalm 59:16-17

Pause and Pray

The articles of religion for Methodism specify that entire sanctification is a state of perfect love, righteousness and holiness. Every believer may obtain sanctification when they are delivered from the power of sin, love God with all heart, soul, mind and strength, and love neighbor as one’s self. Through faith in Jesus Christ this gift may be received in this lifetime both gradually and instantaneously, and should be sought earnestly by every believer. (from Article XI EUB). Two passages from Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians provide particular clarity about this Christian doctrine. Paul asserts explicitly that “it is God’s will that you should be sanctified” (1 Thessalonians 4:3) and then lists ways in which this growth in holiness may be expressed in chapter five. (Kevin Watson, Perfect Love).

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Thessalonica was the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia, an important location on land and sea routes for trade and travel. The budding congregation of believers struggled because the standards and values of Christian living were at odds with the society in which they lived. The community was threatened by social pressures and even outright persecution. Paul wrote this letter to encourage them and his words also encourage me – to rejoice, pray and give thanks holding on to what is good and rejecting evil. He reveals the possibility of entire sanctification, that my entire spirit, soul and body could be blameless in this lifetime. God is faithful; he can and will do this.

Ask: Do I sense God calling me to mature in the Christian faith hoping for the sanctifying grace of the Spirit? Do I have faith that God can and will do this?

Pause and Pray

Holy and loving God, permit me not to quench the Holy Spirit’s activity and work in me. I pray to you with joy and thanksgiving despite my circumstances. Reveal the good and evil that surround me, make me aware of what to embrace and what to reject. Sanctify me through and through and keep me blameless in this lifetime. Thank you for your faithfulness and love for me. I read the words from 1 Thessalonians again and listen for the message you have for me.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

As I consider what God might want to reveal to me through the holy scriptures, I pay attention to the words that resonate with the current state of my soul. What is most lacking in my spiritual journey – joy, thanksgiving, prayer, presence, prophecy, goodness, peace, sanctification, faith? What would God like me to have more of? How might God be inviting me to progress in my spiritual journey through his grace and power? I consider how my spirit, soul and body would benefit from an increase of holiness, love, joy, peace and hope. I recognize that I cannot attain this in my own power, but pray for it through God’s grace.

Pause and Pray

Come, Holy Spirit, I invite you into my spirit, soul and body to bring the dynamic power of your sanctifying grace. I am utterly unworthy of your loving touch and completely unable to make progress in my own determination and willpower. I give myself over to the mighty work of your divine transformation and ask you to work your will and way in me. Amen.

For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8

As I leave this time of prayer, I go seeking holiness of heart and life, endeavoring to love God and neighbor in all that I do.

Amen