The Lord has called His people to live sanctified lives. What is sanctification? This is a concept many people grapple with. It is more than just reading your Bible and attending church weekly. Of course, these are essential things to do in a sanctified life, but what does the process of sanctification involve? How should we walk in our faith before God and men?
“Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God.” 1 Thessalonians 4:1
The answer to this is found in the following verses in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-12. “For this is the will of God, your sanctification…” And here are the specific things God calls us to do:
- To abstain from sexual immorality
- To be faithful and respectful to your husband or wife
- To be honest in your dealings with others, because the Lord avenges those who have been defrauded
- To be holy and filled with the Holy Spirit
- To love one another, especially your brothers and sisters in Christ
- To lead a quiet life
- To mind your own business
- To work with your own hands
When we do these things, we not only please God and provide for our own means, but our lives become a testimony to those who are outside of the faith. The Lord pours into us all that we need so we are not lacking any good thing. But this does not mean that we are to become hermits, closing ourselves off from the world. So, how do we lead a quiet life and mind our own business but still maintain our witness and influence?
The secret to leading a quiet and peaceable life is found in 1 Timothy 2:1-4.
“Therefore, I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
Our first and foremost calling to sanctification is to be people of prayer! We are to pray, entreat the Lord, intercede for others, and thank God for His saving power and provision. We are to pray for our leaders whether we like them or not. We are to pray for God’s Word to go forth into the hearts of all people. We are to pray for the salvation of our family, friends and loved ones. And we are to even pray for our enemies. Prayer is the key to walking in faith and pleasing the Lord and being holy people. Prayer is the key to enjoying a quiet, peace-filled life. Prayer is the key to becoming sanctified witnesses toward those who do not yet know the Lord. Finding that quiet place with the Lord every day empowers us to live out loud to the world!
May you be people of prayer today. Find quiet time to spend with the Lord. Press deep into His presence. He is already there waiting for you with open arms.