After a long series of directives, in First Thessalonians, that Christians should follow and obey Christ, Paul prays for God to sanctify (purify, make holy) wholly (completely, through and through, thoroughly), body soul and spirit, and that God would preserve the believer (keep us free) from all blame (blameless, blamelessly), unto the coming (until the coming, up to the coming) of the Lord Jesus.
Then Paul points out that this true God has called us to holiness of heart and life is faithful to fulfill this calling in our lives, by telling us that faithful is he that calls us, and He will also DO IT.
This prayer is not about our future state or condition in heaven. It is not necessary to ask God to make us holy and keep us holy, once we are in heaven. The prayer is concerned with Christians in this present evil world.
Not only does the prayer apply to our earthly existence and experience, the promise is that God will do it now.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-28 (note the designated portions (*).
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction
cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not
escape.
*4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
*5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
*6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
*8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the
breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
*11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
*12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
*13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
*14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
*15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
*16 Rejoice evermore.
*17 Pray without ceasing.
*18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
*19 Quench not the Spirit.
*20 Despise not prophesyings.
*21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
*22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
*23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your
whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
*24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
25 Brethren, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
*27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. The first epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens.
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