2 Thess. 2:13 "But we ought always to give thanks to God
for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits[fn] to
be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth."
There is much debate over sustainable salvation.
Regardless of your beliefs on this subject, we would all agree that a
lack of attention to maintaining an ongoing and increasing relationship with
Jesus is a dangerous thing. Let's focus on the last seven words here. "The
Spirit and belief in the Truth." Sanctification is clarified as
an ongoing process that is maintained through two very important things.
First, we see that the Holy Spirit accomplishes sanctification. We
can't sanctify or set apart ourselves or anyone else. Only the indwelling
and active Holy Spirit in us can accomplish this. Joined and working in
conjunction with the Holy Spirit is our faith or belief in the Truth.
We can't believe just anything and be sanctified. Sanctification
only occurs, as we are filled with the Holy Spirit and believing according to
the Truth of the Scripture. Trying to make God adjust His truth to fit
our understanding does not release a life changing power. Coming to
God without full understanding is often a true functioning of faith. I
choose to believe God's unchanging truth. That faith releases the active
and ready Holy Spirit to deepen the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
May we open our hearts today and ask the Holy Spirit to complete His work
of sanctification in us. Don't settle for a mediocre existence in God.
Keep pressing toward His full potential in and through you.
