◄ What Does 1 Thessalonians 5:24 Mean? ►

Down through the generations, God has proved Himself faithful. Down through those same ages, God has been working towards His perfect plan and purpose for humanity, which is that Christ is all and in all. And the work that He wants to do in the lives of each of His children, is to transform us into the image and likeness of the lovely Lord Jesus Christ - spirit, soul, and body.

God has set out in His Word how this is to be accomplished. He will not reform the old 'self' but transform the 'new-life' in Christ from glory to glory, until we all reach unity in the faith and knowledge of His only begotten Son. During this life, we will grow into a mature man, who measures up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

And so, we are called upon to live as unto the Lord in the power of the Holy Spirit; to be at peace among ourselves, to warn those who are being irresponsible, to comfort the discouraged, to help the weak, and to be patient with everyone. We are not to repay evil for evil but always to pursue that which is good, for both believers and for unbelievers.

We are to rejoice always, to pray constantly, and to give thanks in everything - knowing that this is God's will for each of His children. But this is the amazing thing - we are not to do this by our self and through our own strength, but God Himself is going to carry out all the work that is needed to bring us into spiritual maturity. We simply need to rest in His love and yield to the work of His Spirit in the inner man, for "faithful is He Who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass."

Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the one that is going to bring me to spiritual maturity, not in my own strength, but as I yield to the chastening and refining work of Your Holy Spirit within my heart. Have Your way in my life, I pray, until I reach a spiritual maturity that measures up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Christ in me the hope of glory. Praise Your holy name, AMEN.