1 Thessalonians 5:23–28 | The God We Live For
The God We Live For: Embracing Grace and Faithfulness
When we think about living a life pleasing to God, we often focus on what we need to do. But what if the secret to living for God isn't primarily about our efforts but about understanding the God we serve? To live a life pleasing to God, we must embrace God's grace and faithfulness.
What Does It Mean to Run the Race of Faith?
The Christian life is often compared to a race in Scripture. Like Olympic runner Derek Redmond who tore his hamstring during the 1992 Olympics but still struggled to finish the race, we too face unexpected obstacles in our spiritual journey.
The early Christians in Thessalonica were like Redmond - they had started their race of faith but quickly encountered persecution and hardship. They were beaten down but kept going. Paul wrote to them not just to encourage them to keep running, but to help them focus on the God they were running for.
This is crucial because when we face obstacles in our faith journey, we need more than just motivation to keep going. We need to be reminded of who God is and the relationship we have with Him. We need to remember the security we enjoy and the peace we've been granted in Christ, regardless of what we face or how we run.
How Is God Different From Everything Else We Live For?
We all live for something or someone. The only question is what or who, and will it be enough? Will we be enough?
What makes living for God fundamentally different from living for anything else is how He relates to us. Our relationship with God isn't based on what we can do for Him, but on what He has done for us. It's not based on our works but on His grace.
What Does It Mean That God Is the "God of Peace"?
In his prayer for the Thessalonians, Paul addresses God as "the God of peace." This wasn't just a formality - Paul frequently used this phrase in his letters because it captures something essential about God's character and our relationship with Him.
Peace is what encapsulates our salvation. We were once hostile to God, but now we're at peace with Him through the blood of Christ. We've been reconciled to God and will one day fully enjoy that peace.
Who Is Responsible for Our Sanctification?
Paul prays that "the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
This reveals something crucial: while we are called to pursue holiness, God is the decisive agent in our sanctification. The God who saved us is the God who sanctifies us. He empowers us to live a life pleasing to Him day by day, and He will complete that work when Christ returns.
Paul's prayer is audacious - that we would be kept so thoroughly blameless that we would have nothing to be ashamed of when we stand before Jesus. This might seem impossibly idealistic, especially when we're acutely aware of our sin, shame, and brokenness.
What If I Feel Too Broken for God to Fix?
If you feel your addiction is too strong, your anxiety too pervasive, or your issues too numerous to believe God can change you, this passage is especially for you.
John Newton, who wrote "Amazing Grace," was once a cruel slave trader before God transformed his life. Near the end of his life, he said: "Although my memory's fading, I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner, and Christ is a great savior."
Paul wasn't ignorant of how serious our sin is - he called himself the "chief of sinners." But he was captivated by the truth that we have a greater Savior. Our greatest need isn't for our sin to become less serious, but to know how serious God is about saving us from it.
Why Can We Be Confident God Will Complete His Work in Us?
Paul grounds his confidence in one simple but profound statement: "He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it."
Our salvation and sanctification aren't decisively brought about by us, but by God. He called us, He saved us, and He is faithful to the end. He will not go back on His word or forsake us. He will not give up on what He's committed to doing.
God didn't begin our sanctification not knowing what lay ahead - He knew the depths of our hearts from the beginning, and He loves us the same. As Paul says in Philippians 1:6, "He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
God saved us at our worst, while we were spiritually dead. How much more will He surely sanctify us completely as His sons and daughters? We can have a confident, stubborn hope as we consider the work that needs to be done in our lives.
How Do We Embrace God's Grace and Faithfulness?
Paul gives three simple commands that relate to the basic habits and rhythms of Christian life:
Pray for one another - Just as Paul prayed for the Thessalonians, he asks them to pray for him. Prayer is like breathing - we breathe in Scripture and breathe it out in prayer. How transformative would it be if we prayed Scripture-saturated prayers for one another?
Greet one another with love - When Paul says to "greet all the brothers with a holy kiss," he's calling us to relate to one another as family, with warmth, love, and intentionality. This isn't about a specific cultural greeting but about showing genuine care for our spiritual family.
Read and share Scripture - Paul insists his letter be read to all the believers. Scripture is central to our life as believers because "it is the will of God to have the Spirit of God use the Word of God to make the children of God look like the Son of God."
Life Application
Remember Derek Redmond from the beginning of our discussion? What made his Olympic moment truly memorable wasn't just his determination to finish despite his injury. It was when his father broke through security barriers, came alongside his struggling son, and helped him complete the race.
That's the kind of Father we have in God. We cannot run the race on our own, but we have a gracious and faithful Father who has drawn close to us and whose delight is to bear with us every single step of the way until we cross the finish line.
Ask yourself:
Am I trying to run the race of faith on my own strength, or am I leaning on God's grace and faithfulness?
Do I truly believe that God is faithful to complete His work in me, even when I fail?
How might my life look different if I fully embraced the truth that God's love for me isn't based on my performance?
This week, when you face obstacles or failures, remember: "He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it." Let this truth transform how you approach your struggles, your relationships, and your worship. Live in the freedom of God's grace rather than the pressure of your own performance.