Do you know what an active-passive verb is? It’s a verb that has both an active and passive component. Are you going huh? Because that’s what I was doing when I was in college and heard Witness Lee go over it when he gave the spoken messages of the Life-Study of Ephesians.
Here's an example of an active-passive verb: In Ephesians 5:18 it says, “Be filled in spirit.” He told us that the active part is the being, and the passive part is the filling. But what's interesting about this kind of verb is it shows our side and God's side. We have to take the initiative to be filled because God can’t do this work without our cooperation. You'll see active-passives throughout the New Testament.
And in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 he shares there is a crucial active-passive verb. And the God of peace Himself sanctify you wholly, and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In chapter 19 of the Life-Study of 1 Thessalonians, which is entitled Cooperation with the Divine Operation, Witness Lee gives a great definition of the active-passive verb usage in this verse:
The command “be preserved” may be regarded as an active-passive verb. This means that we take the initiative to be preserved. However, God is the One who preserves our spirit, soul, and body. Therefore, we take the initiative, but God does the work of preserving our entire being. Therefore, we should pray, “Lord, I long to have my spirit, soul, and body preserved. However, I cannot do this work. I take the initiative, Lord, to ask You to do this (Lee, Witness. Life-Study of 1 Thessalonians. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1982, Print).
This matter of our cooperation is really vital in our Christian experience. I like when he just admitted that he couldn't do it, and just asked the Lord to do it it Him. That makes me think about a message I heard recently on Living Stream Ministry’s website. The brother was talking about how critical it is for us to take the words that we hear either from the Bible or from a message and make it a prayer back to the Lord. Have you ever thought that our prayers are the way we cooperate with the Lord, and they give Him a way to carry out His word?
What Does 1 Thessalonians 1:9 Say About God?
What Does God's Salvation in 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 Accomplish in New Believers?
Why Does Paul Put Faith, Love, & Hope Together in 1 Thessalonians 1:3?
How Does God Preserve Us Complete in 1 Thessalonians 5:23?
What Does Salvation in Sanctification of the Spirit Mean in 2 Thessalonians 2:13?
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