A cause for thanks

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord.

Primary Text

“But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.” 2 Thessalonians 2v13 (NIV)

After prior verses speak of those who would not welcome or love the truth but take pleasure in unrighteousness, we see cause to give thanks to God for those loved of the Lord, chosen as firstfruits to be saved. On the one hand this is done by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit and on the other hand because they believed in the truth. Sanctification means to be set aside, separated and consecrated. 1 Thessalonians 5v23 (AMP) says “And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [separate you from profane things, make you pure and wholly consecrated to God]; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved sound and complete [and found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).” A Christian cannot boast to be a Christian without the Spirit of God living on the inside of Him. Romans 8v9 clearly says that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ are not His (Romans 8v9). Indeed when we become born again, the Holy Spirit becomes a seal by which we are marked that we belong to God (2 Corinthians 1v22; Ephesians 1v13), and He continues to do a work in and through us, helping us to live a life that would glorify God. Romans 8v12-13 (AMP) says “So then, brethren, we are debtors, but not to the flesh [we are not obligated to our carnal nature], to live [a life ruled by the standards set up by the dictates of the flesh. For if you live according to [the dictates of] the flesh, you will surely die. But if through the power of the [Holy] Spirit you are [habitually] putting to death (making extinct, deadening) the [evil] deeds prompted by the body, you shall [really and genuinely] live forever.” I call our attention to the fact that deadening the evil deeds prompted by the body is done “habitually” by the power of the Spirit; don’t relent in this fight of faith or pushing against things in your life by the power of the Spirit that you know do not glorify God. For example one can pray:

Prayer

Father we thank You for Your Word and for Your Spirit. This day o God I yield myself to You, every member of my body I give to be used as an instrument of righteousness. I put off everything – bad feeling towards others, malice, anger, irritation, envy, jealousy… (see Colossians 3v8) – that does not glorify You, and mortify, deaden and kill every evil desire (sensual appetites, greed, covetousness, unholy desires, lust… (see Colossians 3v5) that are still lurking in me by the power of the Holy Spirit. I ask for a fresh anointing this day and that I will be filled afresh with Your Spirit. I pray that I would exhibit now and always love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, fruit that reflect the presence of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life. Sanctify me wholly, and preserve my spirit, soul and body blameless until the day of Christ. Thank You so much o God for the victory we have in You. Thank You Father, Son and Holy Spirit in Jesus name I pray, amen.