January 2026 (May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.)

Bible passage: Thessalonians 5:23

"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

This is a prayer from the Apostle Paul for the believers. He is asking God to make them holy in every part of their lives. He doesn't just pray for their "soul" to be saved, but for every bit of them—their spirit (their connection to God), their soul (their mind, will, and emotions), and their body (their physical actions and health)—to be cleaned up, made whole, and protected by God until Jesus returns. It’s a prayer for complete and total well-being from the inside out, powered by God's faithfulness.

Reflection:

This verse is incredibly encouraging. It tells us that God isn't just interested in a sliver of our life; He wants to restore and renew all of us. Your thoughts, your passions, your relationships, and even how you treat your body matter to Him. The pressure isn't on you to achieve this perfect wholeness on your own. The "God of peace" is the one who does the work. Our job is to cooperate with Him, trusting that He is faithfully making us complete.

Bible Passage: Leviticus 20:7

"Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God."

This is a direct command from God to the people of Israel. “Consecrate yourselves" means to set yourselves apart for a special purpose—to be dedicated to God. "Be holy" means to be different, pure, and set apart from the sinful practices of the world. And the reason given is simple and powerful: "because I am the Lord your God." Their identity was rooted in Him. Since He is holy, unique, and set apart, His people should reflect that same character in their daily lives.

Reflection:

This command can feel daunting. “Be holy? How is that even possible?" The key is in the reason: it’s based on our relationship with God. We don't become holy to earn His love; we strive for holiness because we are already His. It’s about living in a way that matches our true identity as God's people. It’s a call to intentional living, making choices that honour the God who has claimed us as His own.

Connecting the Passages

These two verses form a perfect picture of the Christian life. Leviticus is our part: "Consecrate yourselves." It’s our responsibility to choose obedience and to set ourselves apart for God. 1 Thessalonians is God's part: "May God himself sanctify you." It is His power and grace that actually produces that holiness in us.

We work out our salvation with fear and trembling, knowing that it is God who works in us to will and to act according to His good purpose (Philippians 2:12-13).

Concluding Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank you that you are the Lord our God. Because you are holy, you call us to a life that is set apart for you. We confess that we often fall short. Forgive us for the times we try to become holy in our own strength, and for the times we neglect this calling altogether.

We bring to you our whole selves—our spirit, our soul, and our body. We ask you, the God of peace, to sanctify us through and through. Do your work in every part of our lives. Make us more like Jesus, and keep us blameless until the day we see Him face to face.

We rely not on our own power, but on your faithful promise to finish the good work you have started in us.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Questions for Discussion

1.      The Partnership of Holiness: Leviticus 20:7 says, "Consecrate yourselves," emphasizing our active role, while 1 Thessalonians 5:23 says, "May God himself sanctify you," emphasizing God's primary role. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Where have you experienced the tension between your own effort to live rightly and your need to rely on God's power? What does a healthy, cooperative "partnership" with God in the process of sanctification look like on a practical, daily basis?

2.      Holiness in the Everyday: 1 Thessalonians 5:23 prays for the sanctification of your whole being—spirit, soul, and body. This means God is concerned with every part of your life. Which of these three areas (your spirit—prayer/worship; your soul—thoughts, emotions, will; or your body—physical health, actions) do you find most challenging to surrender to God's sanctifying work? Share a practical example of what it might look like for God to make you more holy in that specific area this week.

3.      The "Why" That Motivates Us: The motivation for holiness in Leviticus is "because I am the LORD your God" (His holy nature), and in 1 Thessalonians, it is the faithfulness of the "God of peace" (His gracious character). How does shifting the motivation for holy living from a duty ("I have to") to a response to who God is and what He has done ("I get to") change your heart attitude? Which of these two reasons—God's inherent holiness or His faithful grace—resonates more deeply with you right now, and why?