Relying on the same annointed teaching he displayed while among the Thessalonians, Paul now calls on believers to exhude the love of Christ not only on others but also with each other.
“1 Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; 2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 4:1-2)
The apostle’s hope and prayer for the believers in Thessalonica was that they would continue to earnestly seek Christ in their lives, as each one focuses on the only important fulfillment, to serve, please and glorify God almighty. Those in Thessalonica should constantly remind themselves of the commands bestwed upon them by Paul, to love one another as Christ loved us enough to die on the cross for our sin.
“3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified.” (1 Thessalonians 4:3-6)
Paul now addresses sexual immorality, as much an issue then as it is now, even more so among Gentiles of the day to whom sexuality was not immoral until they heard the gospel. The apostle calls on believers in Thessalonica to honor their temple, bodies given to us by God and to respect each other’s bodies as holy. Those who do not will face God’s wrath as He avenges evil.
“7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 4:7-8)
Rejecting God’s commands not only alienates believers from their creator, disobedience speads like cancer among the church crushing hope and destroying fulfillment in its path.
In this section of Paul’s letter tot he Thessalonians, the apostle Paul calls on believers to refrain from sexual immorality and to instead consider our bodies holy vessels to be honored and offered to God as living sacrifices. Let us pray!
Father God;
We thank you for your blessings in our lives and for your servant Paul,
We praise you Lord for his wisdom and for his works through this scripture,
We ask you Lord to inspire us to use these verses in our lives
As we grow in you through the teachings of your faithful apostle.
Lord we ask you to strengthen us each day as we endure through battles,
Allow us to praise and love each other through faith in you Jesus,
Shield us from evil through truth, the gospel, salvation and prayer,
Guide us to abide by your word as we spread your gospel to one and all
Becoming examples of faith through our character as we walk the narrow path.
God we pray that you will continue to bless us, to bless our lives and fill us with hope
We ask you Lord to guide our footsteps and lead us to the way everlasting,
Through faith in you Lord we seek salvation and a place with you in heaven
According to your word, your everlasting wisdom and strength.
May your will be done
In our lives, for your life.
We thank you for your love and all you bless us with each day.
Praise God,
Amen!
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
Email: DanielStPierre@ThriveThroughChrist.com
