Holiness: For the Will of God Is Your Sanctification – 1 Thessalonians 4:3 [Annotated, Updated]

by J.C. Ryle

The Christian fight is a good fight because it is fought with the best of promises. To every believer belongs exceeding great and precious promises – all yea and amen in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20) – promises sure to be fulfilled, because they are made by One who cannot lie and has the power as well as the will to keep His word. Sin shall have no dominion over you (Romans 6:14). Let the God of peace bruise Satan under your feet quickly (Romans 16:20). He who has begun a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6). When thou dost pass through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee (Isaiah 43:2). My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall anyone pluck them out of my hand (John 10:27-28). He that comes to me I will in no wise cast out (John 6:37). I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee (Hebrews 13:5). Therefore I am certain that neither death nor life nor angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any creature shall be able to separate us from the charity of God, which is in Christ, Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).