Sanctification (part two)

1 Thessalonians 4:1-3

Sanctification is God’s work. It is also the work in which the believer must cooperate. Salvation is monergistic (salvation is a work of God alone). Sanctification is synergistic (the believer cooperates with the working of God’s Spirit to grow in holiness).

Paul gave instructions and urged the Thessalonians to walk in ways that pleased God. God empowers the believers to obey and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, but we must act in faith, doing what He commands. In faith, we cooperate with the work of the Spirit “to do all that He commanded,” and are transformed by Him from glory to glory.