I Thessalonians 4-5

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely …” (5:23).  Paul said that forgiveness is one part of God’s continuing work in our lives: “For this is the will of God, your sanctification” (4:3).  We are called to eagerly cooperate with God as He shapes us into the image of His Son.  As we “rejoice always, pray without ceasing” and “hold fast to that which is good” (5:17-22), we are keeping our eyes on the goal, which is eternity with Christ (4:17).

We can’t forgive ourselves, and we can’t make ourselves holy.  But “faithful is He who calls you, and He will bring it to pass” (5:24).