2 Thessalonians 2:13-16

Everything good starts with God. The very first words of the Bible tells us that God was the beginning. He started it all, but he did not complete it all. God created humanity to be creative. Part of our creativity was to be expressed in our relationships with him. Together with God, we would shape the direction of the world. He intended it to be a collaboration, but in selfishness, humanity determined to go it alone and we shattered our relationship with Him. However, thankfully, God does not give up easily, and he began his work to repair our relationship with him. He sent his son Jesus, who lived, died and was resurrected so that through faith in him we might receive reconciliation with God.

Paul had this in mind when he told the Thessalonians that God loved them and had chosen them to be saved. Yes, God chose them, and that was the start of salvation, but they had to respond to God’s choice with faith. God also began his sanctifying work through the Holy Spirit in their lives when they believed the gospel. However, just as God intended from the very beginning, humanity takes part in the creative process. God begins the sanctifying work in our life, and that beginning happens at a certain point in time. It happens when we consecrate ourselves to Him and holiness. Furthermore, that work is not completed in an instant. God continues perfecting us on a daily basis, but only if we continue doing our part.

When I was young, my grandfather did not have running water. He had a hand pump outside his backdoor. I could pump that handle all day and never get a drop of water. The pump required priming first. A bucket of water with a cup, was set beside the pump for that purpose. God’s sanctifying process works much like my grandfather’s pump. He gives us encouragement and hope, thus priming the process. As we work the pump, He encourages and strengthens us.