“Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification…”
1 Thessalonians 4:1-3
The Bible includes two letters that Paul wrote to the Thessalonian church. These were among his earliest epistles, alongside those addressed to the churches of Galatia. The congregations in Thessalonica were primarily Gentile believers. While residing in Corinth, Paul sent his fellow worker Timothy to visit them and inquire about their progress in living out their faith (1 Thessalonians 3:5-6). Timothy returned with an encouraging report, which compelled Paul to express his joy and affection for them in his letters.
Though Paul had much to say in both letters, we will focus primarily on the fourth chapter of the first epistle, where he provides specific instructions on living a life pleasing to God. This passage of Scripture (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8) remains relevant to the church today in our post-modern world. The society of Thessalonica was similar to ours in several ways:
- Pagan Society: They lived in a culture where false religion and idolatry were encouraged and practiced.
- Sexual Immorality: There was widespread sexual immorality across all socio-economic classes. Such perverse norms invaded every area of life. Similarly, today we see this reality reflected in over-sexualized television and social media, the encouragement of promiscuity, the billion-dollar pornography industry, the exaltation of homosexuality, and the widespread issue of child sex trafficking, to name a few.
- Divorce Rates: They experienced high divorce rates, and marital fidelity was not a virtue to be desired or celebrated.
In the preceding verses of chapter 3 (1 Thessalonians 3:6-13), Paul praised the Thessalonians for their progress in faithful living but now challenges them to continue their spiritual growth. He reminds them of the importance of holiness unto God, which they are called to embody. Today, this gospel message remains countercultural and a stumbling block for many in society. A lifestyle of righteous living in accordance with Christ is required of believers. Remember, without holiness, no one will see God living in His people (Hebrews 12:14).
Below are key points from Paul’s teachings in this passage that remain instructive to the church today.
Learn, then Live the Gospel (verses 1-2)
Paul entreats his readers to practice the teachings of Jesus Christ in their daily lives. He states, “For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus“ (v. 2). Remember, any goal we pursue comes with a standard of quality that we must meet to earn the reward and achieve our objective. For instance, if I want to be licensed as an attorney, I must acquire specific competencies. Typically, this involves obtaining a four-year degree, attending law school, and passing the state bar exam. These requirements serve as a standard that must be met to become licensed, certifying that I have been validated by a higher governing authority and can fulfill the ethical duties and responsibilities of the profession.
Furthermore, I must clearly understand the requirements at each stage of this pursuit and, through wisdom, position myself to achieve my goal. Mere lip service is insufficient; my actions…my lifestyle…must align with my words. This alignment is reflected in my work ethic and the habits I cultivate. Similarly, Paul emphasizes this principle in his exhortations to Timothy, stating, “An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules” (2 Tim 2:5).
In the Christian life, the Bible serves as our standard…it is our manual for living, given by God. Our aim is holiness, through which the image of Christ can be glorified and manifested in our lives. To participate in God’s righteousness, I must not only be a hearer (learner) of the Word but also a doer (James 1:22-25). I must strive daily to align my heart, thoughts, and actions toward a lifestyle that enables me to achieve the reward in Christ.
There is an “outworking” of our salvation by which we co-labor and cooperate with the Holy Spirit in our sanctification. The goal is daily progression towards spiritual maturity. Paul teaches the churches in Philippi, “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. (13) Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: ‘Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, (14) I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus“ (Phi 3:12-14). It is through sanctification that God grows and certifies the quality of our faith to the standard of His Word.
Sanctification is the Will of God (verses 3-5)
The word “sanctify” means to be set apart by God as holy. God the Father achieved this through the death and resurrection of His Son. In doing so, Christ Jesus destroyed death and the reigning power of sin over our lives. While sin may still be evident in a Christian’s life, it no longer has dominion over us; its enslaving chains have been broken. God has given us His Spirit, which now rules over us, enabling us to wage war against sin and achieve victory in our lives. The blood of Jesus shed for us atoned for our sins and cleansed us of their cancerous effects on our souls. The Holy Spirit is tasked with administering sanctification so that our lives increasingly reveal more of the holiness of Christ, reflecting His presence that now dwells within us.
Paul reminds the Thessalonians that sanctification is God’s will for His people. Here are a few instructions he provides on what we can now do by the power of the Spirit:
- Abstain from Sexual Immorality: This applies to all sexual activity, both in thought (i.e., our mind) and behavior, that occurs outside and inside the institution of marriage, which is defined as a union between a man and a woman (Gen 2:15-25, Mt 19:3-6, 1 Cor 7:1-5). To abstain means we are not to practice these behaviors in our lives, nor should we affirm lifestyles widely accepted in the world. By pursuing holiness within marriage, we honor each other and God, who uses this institution to sanctify us (Eph 5:22-28).
- Marital Infidelity is Not Accepted by God: Sexual purity was not valued in the pagan culture of Thessalonica, and it is often disregarded today. Paul’s exhortation to the church is clear: In desiring one another, we should not be allured by lust. When one is led in this way, their desire is solely to gratify themselves outside the marital bond. In marriage, individuals are to be captivated by a love that desires to serve and commit to both God and their spouse. When driven by lustful intentions, Bible commentator Simon Kistemaker notes that we may “disregard the bounds of decency and enter into illicit, clandestine relationships.” Similarly, Paul warns (vv. 4-5) that “each one of you should know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.” Furthermore, R.C. Sproul correctly summarizes Paul’s main point regarding the effects of God’s Word in sanctification: “The Christian gospel brings a moral awakening and a fresh revelation of God’s righteous standards.”
Sin Damages Relationships (verse 6)
Paul emphasizes that illicit sexual behavior impacts not only those who engage in it outside of marriage but also their spouses, who may be unaware of the situation. Although such sins are often committed in secret, the Lord, known as the Avenger, will ultimately expose them publicly. This exposure can lead to humiliation for the individuals involved, as well as for their families and communities.
Solomon observes in Proverbs 6:32-33, “He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does so destroys himself. Wounds and dishonor will he receive, and his disgrace will not be wiped away.” God will always judge these acts because such sins are not merely against other people; they are ultimately against God Himself.
When King David reflected on his adulterous relationship with Bathsheba, he came to a similar realization, as seen in Psalm 51:3-4 (cf. Genesis 39:6-10).
Closing Thoughts
Paul summarizes this block of instruction with the same exhortation to us (v. 7): “God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.” Although our prior lives before the new birth in Christ included varying degrees of sexual immorality and desires, these transgressions have been washed away by the blood of Christ. The inheritance we have received from Christ’s death and resurrection encompasses a new life, a new identity, and a new citizenship. We are no longer children of the kingdom of darkness; instead, we have been transferred into the kingdom of Jesus Christ (Col. 1:13-14).
Paul encourages us about this new creation living within us (Gal. 2:20): “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
God has set us apart to live holy lives unto Him. Remember, none of us will live completely free of sin; however, by His Spirit, we can develop a lifestyle increasingly less dominated by sin, for a life led by the Spirit pleases God. When we yield to our carnal nature, it produces destructive patterns and results in our earthly lives. Such a life cannot adhere to Paul’s opening statement in this focus text (v. 1), “…we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to live and please God, just as you are doing, do so more and more” (cf. Rom. 8:5-8).
Dr. Jason S. Price, Th.D
www.springoflivingwaters.com
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