Leaving some final advice to the Thessalonians, Paul addresses an issue which is extremely relevant to their sanctification. Sanctification is the process of abandoning sin in order to follow purity or holiness. Those who have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ are now commanded to live a life which reflects the character of Christ. To continue a lifestyle of sin and at the same time claim a relationship with God does not make sense. Jesus’ death on the cross brought deliverance over the power of sin and provided freedom to live in righteousness and holiness; therefore, Paul challenges his readers to follow the will of God by abstaining from “sexual immorality.” (4:3) Sexual immorality is a general term which refers to premarital sex, adultery, sexual lust, homosexuality as well as other things. The goal for a believer’s sexuality is purity and any thought or action which compromises this purity is sin. Sexual sin is not limited to just actions, but also lustful thoughts. The Pharisees believed they were pure because they had never committed adultery, but Jesus said “whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28) God’s standard for sexuality is very high and His desire is that sex be between a man and a woman who have been joined together in a marriage relationship. Any sexual activity, whether through action or mind, outside a marriage relationship is sin. Instead of living in sexual immorality, Paul urges his readers that they “should know how to possess his own vessel [body] in sanctification and honor, not in the passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God.” (4:4-5) The sexuality of a believer should be distinct from those who do not know God. Anyone who chooses to disobey God’s standard of sexual purity will face consequences (4:6) because He called His followers to holiness, not uncleanness (4:7). I realize God’s standard of purity seems very high, but He knows that relationships work best whenever a committed man and woman choose to spend the rest of their life together. When commitment, trust, and acceptance is a part of a marriage relationship we experience sex the way God meant it to be. God is not against sex…He created it, but He wants His followers to obey His will in our sexuality.
Dear God, help me to live a life of purity and abstain from sexual immorality.
