Worthy of His Calling

Hi, and thanks so much for listening to the latest episode from the Hemi Proclaim podcast. Today, John takes on a thought-provoking phrase from scripture that often stirs confusion, worthy of his calling. It's part of our series, The Glorious Second Coming of Jesus. When we hear the words, be worthy, it can sound dangerously close to earning our salvation. An idea that rightly raises red flags.

But what does it truly mean to be worthy in the biblical sense? That's a question we'll explore in depth today. We're going to be looking at 2 Thessalonians chapter 1, verses 11 through 12. As we've learned about the Thessalonian church, is that from the very beginning of this church, these young believers in Christ. Immediately began to experience persecutions and afflictions for their faith.

And despite these trying circumstances, look at chapter 1, verse 3. We saw that Paul gives thanks to God. For the Thessalonians' spiritual growth in the midst of persecution, they were growing abundantly in the midst of very difficult circumstances. Their faith was growing abundantly, their love was increasing for each other. They had steadfastness and faith in the midst of persecutions and afflictions, chapter 1, verse 4.

But Paul understands, nevertheless, that faithfully living out the Christian life. In the face of constant, continual opposition isn't hard. It's impossible. Left to themselves, Paul knew that the task that God had called them to was too great. And he understood that the Thessalonians could never persevere in their own strength, but only in the strength that God supplies.

And so, after he gives thanks in chapter 1, verse 3 for these young believers. He reminds these young converts how he and his companions, Timothy and Silas, Are constantly praying for their spiritual growth in the midst of their persecutions and afflictions until Jesus returns.

So, this brings us to chapter 1, verses 11 and 12. And this is what the Apostle Paul writes to them. He says, to this end we always pray for you. That our God may make you worthy of his calling. And may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power.

So that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

So, this is the first of four prayers by Paul in this little short letter. We can learn a great deal about prayer. For the Apostle Paul, here we can learn how to pray for others who are going through hard times, suffering. perhaps persecution or afflictions or difficulties. We can also learn from this passage about how the vital role that prayer plays in the life.

of believers. Paul shows us that prayer. Plays a key role in the develops, the spiritual growth and development maturity of believers. And he's concerned in this prayer for God to bring to completion what he had already begun, chapter 1, verses 3 and 4. And so, what I want to show you this morning, I want you to notice three features of Paul's prayer.

Three features of Paul's prayer for these Thessalonian believers.

So, I want to draw your attention to these three features because they're very instructive to help us learn about prayer.

So let's look at the first feature of verse, the beginning of verse 11. Here we have the motivation for Paul's prayer. What is it that motivated the Apostle Paul to constantly pray for the believers in Thessalonica? What was it that motivated him to constantly pray for their spiritual growth?

Well, he tells us in verse 11. Look at verse 11. He says, to this end, we always pray for you.

Some translations, like the NIV, it says: With this in mind, we always pray for you.

So what did he have in mind that was motivating and moving him? And this verb is to continually be praying.

So he prayed for them all the time. He and his companions, Timothy and Silas, he said, We always pray for you. With this in mind, what does he have in mind? What he has in mind is the content of verses 5 through 10. Paul always has in his mind the good news of the believer's vindication.

He always has in his mind the day when Jesus will return. And God's people will be judged worthy of entering God's kingdom. The day when Jesus returns and God's people are granted rest from all their persecutions and afflictions. He also has in mind The terror of Jesus's vengeance. Jesus's just retribution to the church's enemies.

The day when Jesus returns to mete out, he says, the punishment of eternal destruction on all unbelievers, particularly those who persecute God's people in the church. He also has in mind this, verse 10. He has in mind that glorious day when Jesus comes to be glorified in his saints, in his church. It's with a view to this day, it's with this in mind, the day when Jesus returns in just judgment. to be glorified.

that is occupying his thinking. And it motivates him to constantly pray for Paul and his companions to grow spiritually.

So, people are saying, Well, what is it that can improve my prayer life? What is it that can make me pray more?

Well, meditate on the day you're going to be vindicated. Meditate on the day that Jesus is going to meet out just vengeance. Meditate on the day that Jesus is going to be glorified in his church. Those are powerful motives to prayer. And so, Paul's concern is to motivate these young believers with the view to that glorious day that is to come.

To motivate them to further spiritual growth.

So, this brings us to the second feature of Paul's prayer, the petitions of Paul's prayer. The petitions, the content. What was he praying? What was he asking for?

Well, he tells us in verse 11. He says, with this in mind, to this end, we always pray constantly for you. That, and here are his petitions. The first petition: that our God may make you worthy of His calling. That's his thesis statement.

God may make you worthy of His calling. And then may fulfill every resolve, desire for good, desire for goodness, and Work of faith by his power.

So, Paul offers two petitions, two petitions to God on behalf of these suffering believers. Let's look at the first petition first. Paul. Uh he prays that God would make believers worthy of his calling.

Now look back in verse 5. In verse 5, Paul comforts the Thessalonian believers when he assures them that when Jesus returns, he will judge them worthy of his kingdom.

Now, in verse 11, in view of that in mind, with this in mind, that God will judge you worthy of his kingdom, he says, I am asking God to now, in the present, make you worthy. of that calling. He will judge you worthy then. Therefore, I'm motivated that he will now make you worthy now. of that calling.

This calling, then he refers to as God's effectual call to salvation.

So, God's calling is a powerful, creative word. and the believer's life. It is, he shows us back in 1 Thessalonians 1 that it is through the preaching of the gospel that the Holy Spirit comes in power and he grants faith to his people and he grants Christ riches to his people. And so, faith is not something that we contribute to make the gospel effective. Faith is something given to us through the gospel when it is proclaimed.

It's just a powerful, creative, effectual calling of God. In 2 Corinthians 3, verse 8, Paul describes the gospel as, I've mentioned this many times, the ministry of the Holy Spirit. And then in 2 Corinthians 4, verse 6, with that in mind, he quotes Genesis 1, verse 3. And he compares the preaching of the gospel To God's powerful, creative ex nihilo, that means out of nothing, God's powerful, creative. A word of ex nihilo creation.

He says, For God who said, Genesis 1:3, let light shine out of darkness. Has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

So the preaching of the gospel Is through the power of the Holy Spirit opening up the eyes of our understanding to make us capable of receiving the light of the gospel, just as God spoke in creation and said, Let there be light, and there was light. It is a powerful, creative word. It is an effectual call to salvation. It has, as one author says, God's call has this irresistible drawing power of unconquerable love. God's call to us.

Comes as a summons from his throne room, who is the king of the universe, and it is a powerful word of command which overcomes all of our resistance and draws us by grace. This is the calling that Paul is talking about. In addition to God's powerful creative word, God's call is also a moral word. It has moral implications for our lives. And in the context, Paul is talking about how it is important to note that God's effectual call to salvation.

Carries with it a responsibility to live a life that is worthy of God's calling. God's calling not only brings justification, and it not only brings the renewal of the whole person, but when it brings that renewal of the whole person, One of the effects of God's calling is sanctification. And so God's calling, Paul teaches us. And this prayer calls us to live a life of obedience to God's moral will. And so it is on the basis, listen carefully, that God calls us to life.

That we are now able to bring forth the proper response of living a worthy life. This is how one Bible teacher puts Paul's prayer when he says, God, he prays that God would make you worthy of his calling. He says, It stands to reason that if on the day of judgment the Thessalonians are to be counted or judged worthy of inheriting the kingdom, They must here and now conduct themselves in harmony with the gospel call which they have received.

So Paul is constantly praying that the Thessalonians' lives will show forth the characteristics expected of those who have responded to God's effectual call and salvation. I mean, 1 Thessalonians 2, verse 12, Paul had previously reminded the Thessalonians of this truth. Listen to what he wrote to them. He says, We exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

So, this call by God is a moral call. Paul exhorts the Ephesian believers in a similar manner in Ephesians 4, verse 1. He says, I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called. And so, to be sure, when we look at this call to walk in a worthy manner before God and for God to make them worthy of his calling. We know that the Thessalonian believers were not worthy when they were called.

If you go back to 1 Thessalonians 1, verse 9, Paul tells us that prior to them being called by God through the preaching of the gospel, he says that they were idolaters. They were pagan idolaters worshiping. Uh and and following false gods. And so they were not prior to their gospel call, they were exceedingly unworthy, and this is true for us as well, isn't it? No one is worthy who is called by God to salvation.

God's gospel call to salvation comes to those who are exceedingly unworthy. Jesus reminds us of this truth in Luke 5:32. He said, I have not come to call the righteous the worthy. But but sinners unworthy. True repentance.

Yet, once we are called by God, brought to life through the effectual calling of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we then have a responsibility to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of his calling. And so Paul's first petition was request to God that he would make these young suffering believers worthy of his gospel call. Worthy so that in the midst of difficult circumstances where it is virtually impossible to live out the Christian life faithfully, he prayed, God, make them worthy so their lives adorn rather than mar the gospel. And so Paul's teaching us through this prayer that our lives, our lives are to be consistent with his calling of salvation. But Paul understood.

That the Thessalonians were unable to live a life worthy of God's call in their own strength. And that is true for you and me today. Such a calling is impossible to do in and of ourselves. Left to ourselves, this call to live a life worthy of God's call is impossible. Who?

by themselves Can live a life in a way that Jesus, when he returns, counts you worthy. Right.

So how do you do this?

Well, look at Paul's second petition, and Paul tells us how this is accomplished. Here's the second petition. He not only prays that God would make us worthy of his calling, but now he prays that God would do that first petition. And here's how God will do it. He prays that God, by his power, would bring the believer's spiritual maturity to completion.

Look at verse 11. He says, We pray for you always that our God will make you worthy of his calling, and here's how he'll do it: by bringing to completion, fulfilling, by bringing to completion by his power your every desire for goodness. And your every work of faith. Paul says, the way believers will be made worthy.

So that when Jesus returns, they will be judged worthy. is by God continually working in them powerfully to bring to completion their every desire to do good and their every work of faith.

So let's take a closer look at Paul's second petition. Let's look at the first part: this every desire for goodness. This phrase, every desire for goodness. Um if you had the ESV, it would say, uh may fulfill every resolve for good, but I prefer this every desire for goodness. Paul prays this phrase, it expresses the believer's internal will, his internal desire to live a godly life.

And Paul says, I continually pray that God would bring to completion this internal desire to live a life in accordance to God's moral will. As I showed you back in verses 3 and 4 of chapter 1, Paul gives thanks to God. for the Thessalonians display of these good desires. These works of faith. He thankfully acknowledges the Thessalonians' abundant, increasing spiritual growth and faith, and their steadfastness.

And their endurance in the midst of persecutions and afflictions. But. The Thessalonians were at best. Already, but not yet, in their spiritual maturity. They were already, he says in verse 4, giving evidence of their salvation by their steadfastness and faith and all their persecutions and afflictions that they were enduring.

And Paul is so thankful for this: evidence of their salvation. But the work of salvation that God had already begun. was not yet complete. There was more that needed to be done because this verb translated fulfill in your Bible. It literally means to bring to completion a process already begun.

And so Paul is thankful for the work of salvation that God had already begun, but he realized that it was not yet brought to completion in them because there was more progress to be made.

Now, as you're going to see when we come to chapters 2 and 3, there were problems within this church. There was spiritual maturing that needed to occur in these believers. There were problems in their lives that needed to be addressed and corrected. And so Paul's prayer alludes to the problem of the misunderstanding about Christ's return in chapter 2. He's already laying the groundwork for chapter 2 with this prayer.

He also, Paul is alluding to the problem in chapter 3 of idleness, of believers giving up their day jobs because Jesus is going to return. I'll come back to that.

So, he's laying the groundwork for how he's going to correct the unruly behavior of some of these young believers. And so, we need to always remember that no one, this side of Christ returned, has been brought to full completion and their spiritual maturity. Like the Thessalonians, God's work of salvation has already begun in us, but it is not yet completed. And so Paul is praying that the process, that which has begun, will through a process come to full maturity, full completion in their life. And he's praying for this daily.

And so there's always more progress to be made in the Christian life. You know this well because everybody in here battles every day through this life with conflicting desires, don't you? You have the desire for goodness, but there's also, Paul says in Romans 7, this other desire. In Galatians 5, verse 17, the Apostle Paul says, We are constantly at war with the sinful desires of our sinful nature. Listen to what he says.

He says, For the desires of the flesh are against the spirit, and the desires of the spirit are against the flesh. You're like bucking rams. For these are opposed to each other to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

So, this battle with conflicting desires that is the normal. Christian life. Paul understood both in Romans 7 and here in Galatians 5:17, and here in his prayer for the Thessalonians, that even though we have been set free from the guilt and corruption of sin, even though we are going to be vindicated when Christ returns, we sometimes freely give in to the sinful desires of the flesh and don't walk in a way that is worthy of our calling. And so, do not be surprised if you find it difficult to live a life worthy of God's call. This was true of the Thessalonians, and it will be true for us in that despite their encouraging progress, some had given in to the sinful desires of their flesh.

As I told you, he is preparing them for chapter 3. Over in chapter 3, Paul is praying for God to bring to completion the Thessalonians every desire for good, for goodness, to do good for the sake of others.

So in chapter 3 What had happened because they had a faulty understanding of the hope of the gospel, Christ's second return, some of them had given up their day jobs. They had lost their desire to do good for the sake of others. And because of that, they quit their jobs, and guess what? They were not doing works of faith. They were not doing good for the sake of others.

And so Paul is already anticipating how he's going to help correct that problem. And how does he correct that problem? He petitions to God constantly to bring these young believers to full. maturity in in their faith. He's praying that the believer's righteous resolve, desire to live in a godly manner, to live in a way that accords with God's moral will, to do good for others.

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This is a chance you won't want to miss. And so Paul prays for God to bring the completion of the believer's internal desire to live a godly life. This is where all change begins at the level of heart desire. And Paul knew that, and he was praying, God, make them worthy by changing and bringing to completion their desires for goodness to others. Second, look what Paul prays for, verse 11c.

He also prays that God would bring the believer's work of faith to completion. And so, the bringing to completion every work of faith is the outward expression of the believer's inward desire for goodness. Does everybody get that? You have a desire inwardly to do good for others, and that work of faith is the expression of that desire to do good to them. And Paul says, not only, Father, work in them powerfully to desire to do good to others, but bring it to fruition.

Every work of faith. And so, this work of faith is so important. It is literally the work that faith produces. Genuine saving faith, Paul teaches, will produce good works. He's saying that faith works.

Now the scriptures are clear that justification is by faith alone, apart from works. But the justification that is by faith alone is not by a faith that is alone. Genuine saving faith necessarily produces good works of service to our neighbor. But these good works in no way merit our right standing with God. Listen to the Belgic Confession, Article 24.

It says this, he says, we do good works. But not for merit. For what could we merit? Good works are never instrumental in salvation, neither in justification nor in sanctification. We are not saved by good works.

Good works are not instrumental. Good works are only evidential. We are saved from the same. Four good works. Ephesians chapter 2, verse 10, Paul says, We have been created in Christ Jesus.

For good works, not By good works. You see that? Which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Martin Luther, he writes the following concerning the relationship of faith and works. He says, It is just as impossible to separate faith and works as it is to separate heat and light from fire.

He's exactly right. Listen to what he continues. He says, Faith is God's work in us. That changes us. And gives us new birth from God.

It kills the old Adam and makes us completely different people. It changes our hearts. It changes our spirits. It changes our thoughts. It changes all our powers.

It brings the Holy Spirit with it. Yes, it is a living, creative, active, and powerful thing, this faith. Faith cannot help doing good works. constantly Such confidence. And knowledge of God's grace makes you happy.

Joyful. and bold in your relationship to God and to all creatures. The Holy Spirit makes this happen through faith. And because of faith, you freely, willingly, and joyfully do good to everyone. That is exactly what Paul's praying here.

Lord, give them. A complete fulfilled desire for goodness to others, and then bring that about so that they'll freely, willingly, and joyfully do good to everyone. Is that not a beautiful prayer? And so Paul prays that God will bring to completion every desire. to do good for others.

which is a good work produced by faith.

Now, notice carefully that when Paul prays for God to bring to completion the Thessalonians' spiritual maturity, and then, of course, our spiritual maturity. He's implying that human ability is inadequate. It's impossible to do this. Paul's not talking about pull yourself up by your bootstraps and moral posturing and self-help and self-improvement. I heard a commercial this week on the radio and it says, if you're having a failing marriage, come to this marriage seminar and we're going to give you the seven keys to a happy, successful marriage, guaranteed that if you follow these principles, it will work for you.

And I was just sitting there thinking to myself, I'm like, well, then why do we need Jesus and the gospel and grace and the Holy Spirit? We'll just go to this seminar and forget church. Paul's not talking about this here. Paul's prayer destroys the false notion that God helps those who help themselves. Paul's prayer teaches us the good news that God helps those who cannot help themselves.

Amen. Amen. It's okay, you can shout if you're happiest. Um Paul drives home the fact that of human inability when he adds one little phrase. If you read it too quickly, you'll miss it.

Look what he does. He drives on the fact of human inability when he adds this phrase, To this end, we always pray for you that our God may make you worthy of his calling, you may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith. Look at this. By He is. Power.

It is vital to note that power here is not some abstract expression of God's attributes. It's not talking about the power of God in an abstract way. Paul, listening very carefully, has in mind the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit in your life. He prayed for goodness and works of faith. Do you know what goodness and works of faith are?

They are the fruit of the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:22. They are works of the Spirit. They are products of faith. In 1 Thessalonians 1, verse 5, Paul reminded the Thessalonians, he said, Our gospel came to you not only in word, but listen, but also in power. And what kind of power?

In the Holy Spirit. and with full conviction. And so Paul emphasizes that every desire for goodness. Every work of faith, every work produced by your faith. is not the accomplishment of your ability.

It is the fruit and work, power. of the Holy Spirit. Believers are unable to produce good desires. That's our problem. We need to be liberated by Christ to have the proper desires.

If you have a desire for goodness, Thank God the Holy Spirit's power is working in your life. If you have works of faith that do good for others, Give thanks to God that the power of the Holy Spirit is working in your life. It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that God brings to completion every desire for goodness and every act produced by our faith. It is only by the Holy Spirit's enabling power, Paul says, that we are made worthy citizens. Of the kingdom of God.

It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit who brings. Who brings to completion, right, the work that God had already begun? Our desires for goodness and works of faith, those good works, are due to God the Holy Spirit working in us for His good pleasure. Paul says it like this in Philippians chapter 2, verses 12 to 13. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence, but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Why? Four It is God who works in you both to will and to do. Work for his good pleasure. Clearly, then, being approved worthy by God when Jesus returns. Being judged worthy by God when Jesus returns.

Is not to be understood as you're earning this exalted state of worthiness. It is not salvation by works. Paul makes it crystal clear in both 1 and 2 Thessalonians, let me just give you the summary, that our salvation is rooted solely in the grace of God, 2 Thessalonians 1, verse 12, which we're coming to. That our salvation is rooted solely in God's electing grace. 1 Thessalonians chapter 1, verse 4.

That our salvation is rooted solely in God's subsequent effectual calling to faith through his gospel. Both 1 Thessalonians 1:5 and here in 2 Thessalonians 1, verse 11 and Paul's prayer. Our salvation is rooted in God's work on our behalf. And the Thessalonians and you and I will be judged worthy of the kingdom of God because the Holy Spirit, Paul prays, will make you worthy of his calling. You do not make yourself worthy by your good works.

Good works. I'll say it again, are not instrumental in salvation ever. They are only evidential. Paul knows that you and I, like these Thessalonians, need the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit to work out our faith in practical works of service, of good to others. And so Paul teaches us that prayer is the means by which God has provided for obtaining the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and to grow spiritually.

Paul and his missionary companions, he says, they pray constantly to God to supply what these young, suffering converts needed. What is that? The empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. And so there's one final feature of Paul's prayer I want you to see this morning.

So we saw the motive of his prayer, we saw the petitions that he prays for, the content of his prayer. And third, I'm going to look at the purpose of Paul's prayer. Look at what is the purpose that he is aiming for. Verse 12. He says So that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you and you in Him according to the grace of our God.

and the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul explains that the purpose of the spiritual progress that he prays for for these believers. This is astonishing. Hold on to your seat. It's for a mutual glorification.

When I read this this week and kept reading it and kept thinking about it, I kept shaking my head, going, really? Yeah. Because a lot of popular evangelical celebrity pastors like to talk about the glory of God all the time as if it has no benefit for you whatsoever, just as long as God's glorified, He doesn't care about you. That's how you come across feeling when He's finished preaching. Apparently he's missed this text.

Because Paul says that he prays this prayer For the spiritual maturity and completion of the believer's faith, so that in the end there will be a mutual glorification.

Well, who's going to be glorified? He tells us. It is Jesus and his church.

Now, that almost sounds blasphemous to say that, doesn't it? I'm going to be glorified. Yep. You are? Paul says verse 10 On that day, the day Jesus returns, Jesus will be glorified in the Thessalonians.

He will be glorified in you and me. He'll be glorified in his church. On account of what they have become. Perfectly brought to spiritual completion, full spiritual maturity. They'll be like Christ.

And so when Jesus returns, Jesus will be glorified in his people on account of what they have become, and Jesus' people will be glorified in Jesus on account of who Jesus is. Believers will glorify Jesus' name, Paul says. Look at this. So that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you. Jesus' name, that is, the name means his reputation, his honor, which was being dishonored in the city of Thessalonica through all the persecution.

Acts 17, verse 7. Oh, there's another king, Jesus. It's a derogatory way to speak of him. Paul says, his name will be exalted. His honor and reputation will be glorified on that day.

Why? Because God's people will stand before God in the judgment as a completed, worthy product of the Spirit's power. The name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in us by virtue of the Holy Spirit transforming idolatrous pagans into worthy citizens of his perfected kingdom. He will take unworthy, disgusting, idolatrous sinners like you and me, and through a process, the Holy Spirit, through his power, will make us to look like Jesus. And that glorifies God and His grace for doing that.

And then the astonishing point comes: I've never heard my whole life till now today. which i was so excited i was my prime time i was so excited to get to this point Paul says it is not only the Lord who will be glorified when Jesus returns, but God's people will be glorified in Him. You will be glorified. Paul most likely has in mind Jesus' high priestly prayer and his theme of glory from John 17. I want you to listen to how Jesus prays to his father in John 17, verses 10 and 22.

So here we We peel back the curtains. And we have an insight into the conversation of the Father and the Son. In terms of what they want to do for their people. And listen to what Jesus prays. Father.

All mine, that is all my people. All mine are yours. And yours, your people are mine. And I and glorified in them. You see that?

That is identical to Paul's prayer here. And then verse 22: The glory, Father, that you have given me. I have given to them Did di do you want me to read that again? The glory that you have given me, I have given. to them.

That's just astonishing. That they may be one, even as we are one. The believer's likeness to Christ means glory for them. The goal of God making believers worthy is that they be transparent vessels prepared by the power of the Holy Spirit to reflect the glory of Christ. Paul says, this is why I pray.

I want you to recall the first thing in the Nicene Creed that we recite and confess about the Holy Spirit. We confess that the Holy Spirit is one of my favorite lines in the Creed. We confess that the Holy Spirit is the Lord, the giver of life. Isn't that beautiful phrase? It is the Holy Spirit who gives new life.

And it is the Holy Spirit, Paul says, who beautifies the Christian life. He is, though, he is the one, he is the eternal God who makes believers worthy. of God's calling. He is the one who beautifies the believer to make them worthy to be considered, judged worthy of entering the perfected kingdom when Jesus returns. There is no hope of being made worthy of God's kingdom apart from the work of Christ and the Holy Spirit.

And if you think God helps those who help themselves, Christ died for nothing and the Holy Spirit was poured out for nothing. The Holy Spirit, Ezekiel 36, 26 and 27, in the promise of the new covenant. The Holy Spirit gives us new life through the preaching of the gospel. And then, through that new life, He beautifies us. And how does He do that?

By causing us to walk. In his statutes, and to be careful to obey his rules. Let me tell you what Paul, how Paul says that, to make us worthy, to make us walk worthy of God's calling. The Spirit does this. William Tyndale had a great insight.

He said, where the spirit is, there it is always summer. This is fly. For there are always good fruits. That is to say, good works. And so, lest anyone conclude, wrongly conclude, that such an exalted state of being worthy, judged worthy.

Like Christ, glorified. Because of Christ. If anybody wrongly concludes that reaching that state is by one's own ability, Look how Paul concludes his prayer as we finish. He says, according to the grace of our God. and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul says, the name of the Lord will be glorified. In us. And we will be glorified in Jesus. Slowly By grace alone. It is not your work.

It is not your ability. It is the Power of grace. Don't ever let anybody try to tell you grace leads to licentious living. Grace. Beautifies your life.

to make you worthy of entering his kingdom. Paul says that the only source of our initial conversion Of our ongrowing spiritual maturity and of our final glorification. is grace. Salvation is by grace alone. Beginning, middle, and end.

Salvation, justification is by grace alone. Sanctification is by grace alone. Glorification is by grace alone. It is by grace that every believer is made worthy to enter the glory of God's perfected kingdom. Which means this: no one, when Jesus returns.

Will enter God's kingdom and say, wow. What a wonderful job of cooperation I did with the Holy Spirit to make myself worthy. I think I'll just walk right on in. Paul obliterates that here. What an amazing thought that Christ, who died.

Was buried, rose from the dead for us, who sent the Holy Spirit to bring our spiritual growth to completion. And his also coming again will glorify us. That's great service, is it not? It's just unfathomable. Our good works, which are the fruit of the Spirit, which are the product of faith, which all are rested in grace, will glorify the name of the Lord.

And then, by grace alone, Paul says, we will be made worthy by the Spirit, worthy by grace. and thereby perfectly reflect the likeness of Christ, and in a secondary way we will be glorified and exalted. And listen, Christ prayer in John 17 will come to full consummation. That's what Paul's praying for here, and that's how we pray for people, and that's how we learn to pray. And I'm telling you, this week, my prayer life has changed.

Learn to pray like this.

So let's pray. And so, Father, uh we We just stand in awe of the realities of this prayer that Paul has taught us here, and we thank you. We thank you for this hope, and so it is to this end, it is with a view towards your coming again, both in vindication and in vengeance, to be glorified. It is with this in view that, like Paul, we pray, God, make us worthy of your calling. Bring to completion every desire to do good to others.

Bring to completion every work of faith. in our life. And do this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified. And that we ultimately, through Jesus, would be glorified as well according. To the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ, we pray.

Amen. John Fawnville sends his thanks for listening today. And before you hit the next episode, can I tell you about an encouraging book you might want to get soon? It's called Hope and Holiness: How the Gospel Enables and Empowers Sexual Purity. You're not alone if you've tried to conquer sexual temptations and tried all the methods available, only to find yourself feeling defeated again.

This book may be just what you're looking for. In His Shepherding Heart, John shows that the gospel, not practical steps or more self-discipline, is God's provision for the power to live a life of sexual purity. and it's available to every Christian. What I like is the book is available in three convenient ways, paperback, audiobook, or Kindle. Please look for the links that I put in the description and get a copy today.

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