The epitome of the Chicago Cubs was Ernie Banks . . . “Mr. Cub” was his nickname . . . and, he was a Chicago Cub through and through. Though I admire the tenacity of the Cubs and their old bear logo, I have to confess that I am a Baltimore Orioles baseball fan. For me the individual who epitomized what it meant to be an Oriole was . . . nope, not Cal Ripken, Jr. . . . but, ol’ number 5--Brooks Robinson. He played 23 years for the Orioles, was an 18-time All-star, won the Gold Glove Award 16 straight years as a third-baseman, played in four World Series--winning two, and is in the Baseball Hall of Fame. His nickname? The “Human Vacuum Cleaner”. He was and still represents everything that a Baltimore Orioles player should be . . . he is an Oriole through and through.
Sports fans will tell you that there is always one player . . . one individual . . . who epitomizes what their favorite team represents. For the Chicago Cubs it is Ernie Banks . . . for the Baltimore Orioles it is Brooks Robinson . . . for the Boston Celtics it is Bob Cousy . . . for the Boston Bruins it is Bobby Orr . . . and, for my Minnesota Vikings it is Alan Page. But, sports fans are not the only fans who elevate individuals into the role of whatever it is that they are representing. Take for instance religion . . . Christianity. Every Christian probably can name someone who they believe epitomizes what it means to be a Christian . . . Billy Graham, Mother Teresa--to name two. Whoever that individual might be, they are said to be whatever they are “through and through”.
Basically “through and through” means “in every aspect, thoroughly or completely.” Synonyms for the phrase are “thoroughly, utterly, absolutely, completely, totally, wholly, fully, entirely, unconditionally, unreservedly, altogether, and out-and-out.”
The Apostle Paul calls the followers in the church in Thessalonica to become the epitome of what it means to be faithful in their daily lives. Paul tells them: “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of Lord Jesus Christ.” In other words, Paul wants the Thessalonians to be the picture of faithful . . . to be “thoroughly, utterly, absolutely, completely, totally, wholly, fully, entirely, unconditionally, unreservedly, altogether, and out-and-out” faithful . . . faithful “through and through”.
Of course, Paul's admonishment comes at the end of his words of encouragement to the Thessalonians. Prior to that he gives to them a model of how they are to be faithful “through and through”.
First, he tells them to “be joyful always”. He tells them to rejoice . . . always rejoice. Understand, Paul is not telling them that they are to rejoice at a particular time or place, but to always rejoice. Nor is he telling them to only rejoice when something good happens . . . no, he wants them to rejoice always . . . in the good times and in the bad times. He wants the people to develop and live a positive attitude. He tells them, “. . . give thanks in all circumstances . . .”
Second, he tells them to “pray continually”. This is a favorite theme of the apostle’s . . . to “pray continually”. Now, I know what you are thinking . . . you are thinking about how you pray . . . the actual act of praying. And, you are thinking, how in the world am I supposed to do that twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year? When am I supposed to sleep . . . eat . . . work . . . play? Well, as important as your prayer life is and the way that you pray, Paul was not actually talking about prayer in that manner.
No, what the apostle was talking about is developing an awareness or consciousness of the presence of God . . . the God that surrounds us like the air that we breathe. God wants the faithful to become aware of God’s presence in all of life . . . in each waking and sleeping moment. God is there . . . always there! The problem is that the faithful are not always there. Paul wants the people to develop an awareness of God so that they are living their lives in and through God. In this way, their lives become a prayer.
Third, Paul tells the people to be faithful “through and through” they must have an openness to God’s calling. God’s calling comes in many shapes and ways. For some it may be the words spoken by others . . . for others it might be something they have read . . . it might be a dream or a feeling . . . from prophets. God speaks to everyone differently, but God does speak . . . God does call for the faithful to listen and follow. Thus the apostle wants the people to have an openness to God’s call in their lives.
At the same time, he warns them to be careful. Not everything that is bright and shiny is good for you. He tells them to “test everything”. Here he wants the people to develop some common sense . . . to think about what they are hearing . . . to pray about what they are hearing . . . to discern. To discern the call of God through their experience of the Holy, not someone else’s. If is is God’s will . . . so it will be; if it is not . . . watch out!
So, there you have it.
The Apostle Paul tells the followers in Thessalonica that they are to be faithful “through and through”. Through always rejoicing . . . always praying . . . listening to God’s call . . . and, using common sense . . . they have the ability to be faithful “through and through”. They can be the epitome of what it means to be faithful. Paul tells them that if they can do this, well then, “. . . the one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”
What will be done?
Paul said it: “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
As the Thessalonians were called to be faithful “through and through”, so are we. On this third Sunday of Advent, we are call to be the epitome of faith . . . to be that role model that is held up as being faithful “through and through”. To live our lives in such a way that they become a witness to others of what it means to be faithful . . . not our words, but our actions. Saint Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary use words.”
May God bless you . . . through and through. Amen.
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