08-14-2025 PART 3: Chosen, Sanctified, and Partnering with God

Section 1

Paul’s words in 2 Thessalonians 2:13 remind believers they are “loved by the Lord” and “chosen from the beginning” to be saved through the Spirit’s sanctifying work and faith in the truth. This sparks a discussion about God’s sovereignty and human choice—both are true and both incomplete if isolated. God’s omniscience means He knows every decision, yet our responsibility to respond in obedience remains. The call to share the gospel isn’t nullified by theological positions; God commands it, and we act in trust, even without full understanding. This obedience reflects a partnership—God directs, we follow—and often produces blessings we couldn’t predict.

Section 2

Salvation, Paul emphasizes, involves every Person of the Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Yet believers themselves are participants, responding to God’s work. The sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth work together, not as competing forces but as a divine-human cooperation. The Spirit shapes character from within, empowering holy living, while faith anchors us in the unshakable truth that Jesus is Lord. This truth stands in direct opposition to the lie that denies Christ—a deception rooted in Satan’s schemes since the Garden of Eden. Faith in the truth dismantles bondage to sin, the world, and self.

Section 3

Partnership is woven into God’s design—from creation to salvation, ministry, and eternity. What breaks God’s heart is when sin disrupts that partnership. The Spirit’s conviction, unlike a dulled conscience, remains sharp, nudging believers toward repentance and restoration. Sanctification is God’s work of setting His people apart; believing the truth is our response, lived out in trust and obedience. The fact that Christians can’t escape conviction is evidence of genuine faith. Ultimately, everything we do is meant to be in partnership with God—now and forever—living in the reality of His love, chosen purpose, and transforming truth.