Blameless in Holiness
Faith, Hope, and Love Don't Just Exist — They Produce
SCRIPTURE:
1 Thessalonians 3:13 CSB - May he make your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. Amen.
OBSERVATION:
Paul concludes the first three chapters of Thessalonians by encouraging holiness. In the first two chapters, he emphasizes that their faith, hope, and love are a witness to all. He also encourages them in their assurance. By and through the Holy Spirit, we have full assurance of the salvation God has given us through His Son Jesus Christ. Indeed, Jesus has “rescued us from the wrath to come.”
In Chapter two, Paul reminds them of his deep care for them. He does so by preaching the gospel to them and by giving his life in service to them because they are dear to him.
Paul knew the Thessalonians had issues (don’t we all), but before jumping into what needed to change, he wanted to encourage them by reminding them that God is at work! He is faithful!
That is evident! So, with us, God is at work. Part of that work is holiness.
Holiness means being set apart for use. Its origins trace back to the temple instruments and utensils. They were to be set apart for the work of the Lord, for His desires and purposes. They were His, and His alone. So are you and I.
How does holiness happen in us? It’s not by us but through Him. May He make your hearts blameless in holiness before our God. Because of Jesus’ work on the cross, we have been made positionally holy.
2 Corinthians 5:21 CSB - He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
This is what we call imputed righteousness. It is NOT ours but HIS. Because He knew no sin, we have been made righteous.
Along with positional holiness, God is making us more like His image each day. This is what we call practical holiness. Just as the instruments and utensils were set apart as holy, they were used daily in acts of holiness. God is working in us, perfecting us, and completing us.
Philippians 1:6 CSB - I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
APPLICATION:
This practical holiness is often tested in what we call trials. The afflictions and trials of life are used by God to mold and shape us. We often see trials and afflictions as a bad thing. Some teach that believers should never go through them. Yet we see that even Jesus experienced them. If He did, we will as well.
What do we do when we face them? Rejoice! God is at work. It may seem strange, but this is God’s furnace, molding and shaping us.
1 Peter 4:12-13, 16 NKJV - Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. ... Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.
Truly, we are blameless in holiness because of the work of the cross and because we are being perfected, blameless in holiness through the work of God in our lives. Positionally, we are; practically, we are being made into it.
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank you for making me holy. Thank you that I can stand before the Father because of what You did at the cross. I don’t deserve it! Thank you that I am being set apart for You daily in holiness. Continue to purify me and lead me through the trials and afflictions I face, making me more like You. Thank you that when I do face them, I am not alone. You give me strength to endure with grace, love, and mercy, guided by the Holy Spirit!
1 Thessalonians 3:13 CSB - May he make your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. Amen.
OBSERVATION:
Paul concludes the first three chapters of Thessalonians by encouraging holiness. In the first two chapters, he emphasizes that their faith, hope, and love are a witness to all. He also encourages them in their assurance. By and through the Holy Spirit, we have full assurance of the salvation God has given us through His Son Jesus Christ. Indeed, Jesus has “rescued us from the wrath to come.”
In Chapter two, Paul reminds them of his deep care for them. He does so by preaching the gospel to them and by giving his life in service to them because they are dear to him.
Paul knew the Thessalonians had issues (don’t we all), but before jumping into what needed to change, he wanted to encourage them by reminding them that God is at work! He is faithful!
That is evident! So, with us, God is at work. Part of that work is holiness.
Holiness means being set apart for use. Its origins trace back to the temple instruments and utensils. They were to be set apart for the work of the Lord, for His desires and purposes. They were His, and His alone. So are you and I.
How does holiness happen in us? It’s not by us but through Him. May He make your hearts blameless in holiness before our God. Because of Jesus’ work on the cross, we have been made positionally holy.
2 Corinthians 5:21 CSB - He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
This is what we call imputed righteousness. It is NOT ours but HIS. Because He knew no sin, we have been made righteous.
Along with positional holiness, God is making us more like His image each day. This is what we call practical holiness. Just as the instruments and utensils were set apart as holy, they were used daily in acts of holiness. God is working in us, perfecting us, and completing us.
Philippians 1:6 CSB - I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
APPLICATION:
This practical holiness is often tested in what we call trials. The afflictions and trials of life are used by God to mold and shape us. We often see trials and afflictions as a bad thing. Some teach that believers should never go through them. Yet we see that even Jesus experienced them. If He did, we will as well.
What do we do when we face them? Rejoice! God is at work. It may seem strange, but this is God’s furnace, molding and shaping us.
1 Peter 4:12-13, 16 NKJV - Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. ... Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.
Truly, we are blameless in holiness because of the work of the cross and because we are being perfected, blameless in holiness through the work of God in our lives. Positionally, we are; practically, we are being made into it.
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank you for making me holy. Thank you that I can stand before the Father because of what You did at the cross. I don’t deserve it! Thank you that I am being set apart for You daily in holiness. Continue to purify me and lead me through the trials and afflictions I face, making me more like You. Thank you that when I do face them, I am not alone. You give me strength to endure with grace, love, and mercy, guided by the Holy Spirit!
Holiness isn't something you achieve — it's something Christ secured for you at the cross, and His Spirit continues to work out in you through every trial and every ordinary day.
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