How to Grow in Holiness

"Stay away from every kind of evil. Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. And may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will do it."  1 Thessalonians 5:22-24

God wants us to grow in holiness (moral blamelessness).  The pursuit of holiness involves six steps.  

1) Stay away from every kind of evil (v. 22).  This has three applications.  First, avoid all evil behavior.  Second, avoid all evil people.  Third, avoid all places where evil is taking place.  Don't miss the word "every."

2) Pray for holiness.  "Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely (v. 23)."  Holiness is not possible without God's help, and God only helps those who pray for it.

3) Pursue complete sanctification (v. 23).  Sanctification means being set apart from sin for God.  It means holiness.  We must pursue complete holiness.  This means holiness at the highest level.  God's standard of holiness.  We must not tolerate even a hint of evil; even a speck of sin.  

4) Keep your whole spirit, soul, and body sound and blameless (v. 23).  Your spirit is the part of you that relates to God.  Pursue a healthy and blameless relationship with God.  Your soul is the inner man -- your thoughts, beliefs, attitude, emotions, desires, motives.  Pursue health and blamelessness in the inner man.  Your body is the outer man -- your actions; your physical body.  Pursue health and blamelessness in your body -- your behavior and actions.  

5) Focus on preparing for the second coming of Christ (v. 23).  Jesus could return at any time.  Our goal as Christians is to be fully prepared to meet Christ face to face in a state of complete blamelessness.  

6) Trust in God's faithfulness (v. 24).  Do not get discouraged when you fail, or when it seems like growth is not happening, or when you see more digress than progress.  God is faithful.  He called you to salvation.  He called you to sanctification.  He will answer your prayer and honor your desire and effort to grow you in holiness.