September 18 2026

September 18 Friday

1 Thessalonians 5:23-28

Faithful Is He Who Calls You

Welcome to Pastor’s Chat. Today we come to the final verses of 1 Thessalonians. We have traveled together through this wonderful letter and seen Paul's love for these young believers, their faith in the midst of persecution, their hope in Christ’s return, and Paul's repeated challenge for them to continue growing in holiness and love. Now Paul closes with a beautiful prayer and a wonderful promise. Verse 23 says: “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely.” Notice who does the sanctifying. “The God of peace Himself.”

Throughout this letter Paul has repeatedly called believers to holiness. But now he reminds us that spiritual growth is ultimately a work God does in us. We certainly have responsibilities. We obey. We surrender. We read His Word. We pray. We turn away from sin. But it is God who is working within us to make us like Jesus. Paul continues: “And may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul's concern is for the whole person. God is interested in every part of our lives. Our inner spiritual life. Our minds and emotions. And even what we do with our bodies. There is no part of us that should be excluded from God's sanctifying work.

Then verse 24 gives us one of the great promises of Scripture: “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” What a wonderful statement. God is faithful. Our faithfulness may sometimes fail. Our strength may fail. Our emotions rise and fall. But God never changes. Paul does not say: “He who called you is faithful, so you had better somehow finish the work yourself.” He says: “Who also will do it.” Philippians 1:6 says the same thing: “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” God finishes what He starts. The same God who saved you is working in you today. And He will continue that work until one day you stand complete in the presence of Jesus. That doesn't make us passive. It makes us hopeful. When we become discouraged with our spiritual progress, we can remember: God isn't finished with me yet.

Then Paul says simply in verse 25: “Brethren, pray for us.” I love that. Here is the great apostle Paul asking ordinary believers: “Pray for us.” If Paul needed prayer, surely we need prayer. Never underestimate the ministry of praying for other people. Pray for pastors. Missionaries. Church leaders. Family members. Friends. Those carrying the gospel around the world. Then Paul says: “Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.” In their culture this was an appropriate expression of warm Christian affection. The specific cultural expression may differ today, but the principle remains: God's people should genuinely love and warmly receive one another. Paul then commands that this letter be read “to all the holy brethren.”  Why? Because this wasn't merely a private note for a few church leaders. Paul wanted everyone to hear the Word of God.

And finally, the letter ends exactly where the Christian life begins and continues: Grace. Verse 28 says: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” Grace saved us. Grace keeps us. Grace teaches us. Grace strengthens us. And grace will bring us safely home. What a wonderful way to finish this letter. When we look back over 1 Thessalonians, we have seen several great themes. A work of faith. A labor of love. A patience of hope. Standing fast in persecution. Growing in holiness. Loving one another. And living every day in expectation of Jesus Christ’s return. But ultimately, none of that is possible apart from God's grace.

And so perhaps the verse we should carry with us as we finish this letter is verse 24: “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” My friend, whatever God has called you to today, you can trust Him. He is faithful. Whatever trial you are facing— He is faithful. Whatever burden you are carrying— He is faithful. Whatever weakness you are struggling with— He is faithful. And whatever work He has begun in your life—He will complete it.

Let's pray. Heavenly Father, thank You for the wonderful truths You have taught us through this letter of 1 Thessalonians. Thank You that You are the God of peace and that You are faithfully working to sanctify us and make us more like Jesus. Help us to surrender every part of our lives—spirit, soul, and body—to You. Thank You for the promise that the One who called us is faithful and will complete the work He has begun. Teach us to pray for one another, love one another, stand firm in faith, grow in holiness, and live every day looking for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. And thank You most of all for the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that saves us, sustains us, and will one day bring us safely home. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

God bless, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!