He Who Calls You Is Faithful

Journal 6

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8

For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.  Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you."

As someone who doesn't deal well with authority and tends to challenge authority, these verses really convicted me to think who really is at a position of authority in my life.  It's easy for me to look at a person who's in a position of authority (my supervisor, my pastor, etc.) and think that he or she is just another person, and part of being an adult is to be an independent thinker and not let what they say be "the Bible."  As much as there's truth in that kind of thinking, there is also very deceiving, because when I respond that way, what I am really thinking (but not saying or even realizing) is often time something like, "who are you to tell me what to do?" or "are you saying that I am wrong???"  The attitude behind is often time prideful, rather than really trying to be a responsible, independent adult.  Interestingly, these verses from Paul don't even give us an option to deceive ourselves by saying that we are just trying to be responsible and independent by disregarding the Bible's teachings about the Christian life.  God didn't call me and die on the cross for me so I can indulge in all my sinful desires and lustful thinking without suffering the consequences of them.  God called me because He desires for me to live a life of holiness, for that's what's beautiful in God's eyes.  And if God desires something to happen, we should have faith that He will and is able to bring that to happen if we let Him.  It's not me who sanctify myself and try to make myself holy.  In 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (below), God is the subject, and we are the object of all of His actions.


1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

Now may 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. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

As I read these words, I feel like God is gently nudging me on my arm, saying, "Remember that I called you from impurity into holiness. My work is not in vain, and I will not let you go back there..."

Thank you, my dear Jesus.