Introduction: Did you know it’s our Lord’s desire to make His children more like Him. He accomplishes this thru a daily process. Technically speaking, it is called Sanctification. 

Please notice the totality of the transformation.

(1Thess 5.22)

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1. Sanctify!

The word “sanctify” is ἁγιάζω (hag-ee-ad’-zo), which means to make holy, treat as holy, set apart as holy, sanctify, hallow, purify.

By definition, the word purify means to clean or to make pure. Are we clean?

2. Wholly!

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Completely – The word “completely” is ὁλοτελής, (hol-ot-el-ace’), which means perfect, complete, all. 

Isn’t it interesting that our Lord is out do a complete work? Paul reminds us that He that began a good work will finish it. 

3. Soul! 

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The word “soul” is ψυχή, : (psoo-khay’), which means the vital breath, breath of life, the human soul, the soul as the seat of affections and will, the self, a human person, an individual.

To say we are being set apart in our spirit but our soul is not is a contradiction. Our Lord wants all of us!

4. Body

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Even our bodies are to be set apart. That includes a variety of disciplines. Are you disciplined?

5. Spirit

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Conclusion: There we have complete sanctification. One day we will not need to be sanctified because we will be glorified. Looking forward to that day.