WHO WE ARE: Called into His Kingdom and Glory

“Now may the God of peace himself make you completely holy and may your spirit and soul and body be kept entirely blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NET)

“(God) calls you into his own kingdom and glory.” 1 Thessalonians 2:12

“For God did not call us for impurity, but in holiness.” 1 Thessalonians 4:7

In Acts, Luke does not tell us very much about Paul’s time in Thessalonica. We know that it was cut short by persecution, and that he preached his typical message that Jesus the Messiah had risen from the dead (Acts 17:2-4). While that message may have angered some of the resident Jews, that message would not be offensive enough to upset the large Gentile population of Thessalonica. What did he say that caused such an offense that it resulted in both Paul’s departure and a persecution against these new Christians?

Acts 17:7 tells us of Paul’s “offense”: he was proclaiming that there was another king named Jesus. In the Roman Empire it was treason to proclaim anyone king but the emperor! But despite this, Paul did not shy away from his message. Of those who accepted Jesus as their King, Paul says that they are “called into God’s kingdom and glory” (1 Thessalonians 2:12). This was true for the Thessalonian Christians, and this is true for us today as well. What does it mean that we are called into God’s kingdom and glory?

To be one of God’s called, is to choose a life that is obedient to His authority and laws. As Paul says in 4:7, “God has not called us to impurity, but in holiness.” Being called is not a passport into heaven while living the life you want. Being called is a purchase by a King, to reflect His character, and serve Him how He wants.

Does this sound difficult? Left to ourselves and our sinful nature, it would be! But fortunately we have help. As those who are called of God we rely on His power to make us holy so we can be blameless before Him (5:23-24).