Gospel Confidence Means We Trust God To Work — 1 Thessalonians 5:23–28
Sep 4, 2026 94
Church communities are messy because people are messy—but can God really shape us into people who look like Jesus?
1 Thessalonians 5:23–28
[23] Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. [24] He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. [25] Brothers, pray for us. [26] Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. [27] I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. [28] The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (ESV)
We give ourselves to life together because of our confidence in God’s work through the gospel.
Over the last few days, we have seen how the gospel shapes our relationships with pastors, our fellowship, and our worship.
A church with pastors who teach us the gospel, fellowship rooted in the gospel, and worship shaped by the gospel sounds inspiring!
But who can ultimately form us into a community like that?
Paul prays that the God of peace himself will sanctify his people completely and keep them blameless at the coming of Jesus.
[Watch this week’s video devotion with Dave Miers]
We first considered sanctification back in chapter 4. God’s will is that his people become holy. Now, as Paul finishes his letter, he reminds us that God himself is at work making us holy.
Then comes this great promise: “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.”
This is gospel confidence. Our confidence is not in our abilities or strategies but in our sovereign God, who works powerfully by his Spirit through the gospel.
This confidence does not mean that we sit back and do nothing. We give ourselves wholeheartedly to gospel community, but we trust God to complete his work. We pray for one another, warmly welcome one another, and listen to God’s word together.
Church communities are usually messy, and that makes sense because people are messy! Yet we can have great confidence that God will use our imperfect churches for his glory and our good.
The Good News Is…
Our confidence is not in our ability to create a perfect church. Our salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, to the glory of God alone. Jesus lived for us, died for us, and rose again. Through his word and Spirit, God continues his gracious work among his people.
The God who calls us is faithful. He will not abandon his people or leave his work unfinished. Gospel confidence means we trust God to work. He will surely do it.
Reflection
Where are you tempted to rely on your own abilities or strategies? How does God’s promise to complete his work lead you to trust him and pray?
Rev. Dave Miers
President, Good News Unlimited