This morning, there is perhaps not a more discussed verse among the Primitive Baptists than this one. Due to the Calvinistic nature of some men's thinking, this verse has become a hot topic, and perhaps a dozen queries to a dozen men will get anywhere from 1-12 different takes on the particular teaching and application herein. However, while I may not know much about a verse, I do know some things that are not taught. An elder wisely instructed me once, "Do not try to prove a position using a tough Scripture to rightly divide it. Use the plain teachings to try to understand the harder passages." So, if someone uses this verse to prove gospel means or some other flavour of Calvinism, they take this verse and fly in the face of other clear passages that speak otherwise. 

Paul writes this epistle out of much love and charity. The Thessalonians were a devoted band that Paul had much affection for, and he told them "be not weary in well doing." They laboured bountifully for the cause of Christ, and Paul encouraged them not to cease or deter from this activity. In the verses above, Paul gives the reason and explanation for their behaviour. They do not exercise these actions to gain the sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. They do so, because they already have that nature within them (before the gospel arrived). So, what does the Apostle Paul mean by these phrases?  

The sanctification of the Spirit is easily understood from Peter's writings, "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:" Here, we find that this sanctification (setting apart for a holy purpose) was done in accordance with the election of God. This consecration happened before the world (or we) had an existence. Therefore, God decreed and did His purpose before man had a say-so in the matter. So, what does Paul mean by belief of the truth? This gives cause to look at the remainder of the text in I Peter 1:2. Notice how the execution (legal work) was carried out. Christ had to suffer, bleed, and die to legally redeem us to God. How does that touch our lives? Somewhere between conception and the grave, God applies the blood vitally in the new birth. Again, this happens without man's decree or will as shown in John 3. This vital work bequeaths a nature incapable of sinning. (I John 3:9)  

While we (through the body of this death) still commit transgressions and folly, the new man is righteous and holy (without iniquity). The new man bears the very image of Christ. (Colossians 1:27) Therefore, this new man has no other course but to believe in the truth. Unbelief is a sin, is it not? Therefore, our new man MUST believe in the truth. Now, why do some children of God not outwardly believe in the truth? Many reasons could be the cause, but some do not believe the truth (outwardly) because they have no knowledge of the truth (gospelly). The new man exercises belief that is innate (like a heartbeat), but outwardly (old man) does not believe because of corrupt flesh. So, when does a man begin to believe outwardly?   

Paul continues by saying that the gospel imparted knowledge that reverberated within that new man that was already there to give motivation to put off the old man and put on the new man. (Ephesians 4:21-24) This Scriptures teach this concept as discipleship (John 15). While the gospel does not grant sonship, true discipleship to Christ comes from exercising the faith given in regeneration into use in our daily lives. The chain of events MUST occur this way: before time God loved, chose, and predestinated us. At the appointed time, Christ redeemed us legally, and the Spirit regenerates us vitally. These are all absolute according to God's purpose. The next event is not absolute, but it should be our goal to listen and heed the gospel to the furtherance of our lives to the glory of God so that people may see our good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven.

In Hope,

Bro Philip