When Paul describes the Christian life, he describes an ongoing, daily walk or process. Many who profess to believe in Jesus Christ are mistaken to believe that a simple prayer or decision is the end of the Christian experience. Perhaps they think that there will come certain stirrings around Christmas or Easter that remind them exactly why they have decided to call themself Christian, but for the most part, many “Christians” live their lives as cultural or nominal Christians rather than biblical ones.

Paul describes in 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15 a process or walk which is begun in each true Christian. It begins with God’s own gracious choice of His people – “He chose you as first fruits to be saved.” Without God’s gracious choice of us, there would be no salvation. Some would ask, does God not choose everyone for salvation, and the answer can only be logically that there is no choice if everyone is included.

Secondly, in this process of the Christian conversion and new life is the “sanctification of the Spirit.” This is the process whereby the Spirit of God changes each of the children of God into holiness, true Christ-likeness. This is how Paul can say that “old things pass away and all things become new (2 Cor. 5:17). This is an ongoing process that extends for a lifetime, but will end with a certain goal which we will see in a moment.

Thirdly, Paul praises the Lord for the understanding and belief (faith) that He gives us of His Word, the truth. Without this faith in the truth of the Gospel, or the Word of God, we could not begin the process of sanctification by the Spirit. By this faith, the righteous live (Rom.1:16-17). By this faith, we are sanctified by God’s truth (John 17:17).

Lastly, Paul thanks God for the blessed goal of every believer’s life; it is the ultimate outcome for all true believers – that is that they “might obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This, of course, does not mean the glory of Christ’s position as King of kings and Lord of lords, but it does speak of the wonderful outcome of the believer that Paul describes in Romans 8:29 saying, “those he did foreknow, he did predestine to be conformed into the image of Christ.”

The Christian life is a progression of following Jesus by faith in His Word, by sanctification of His Spirit, for our future glorification into the image of Jesus Christ. We’re on our way; “So then brothers (and sisters) stand firm and hold to the traditions (the Word of God handed down to you) that you were taught…. (2 Thess. 2:15)”