Towards Sanctification.

TOWARDS SANCTIFICATION.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8.

As Paul approaches the subject of “sanctification” (cf. 1 THESSALONIANS 4:3; 1 THESSALONIANS 4:4), he encourages his readers on their “walking” and “pleasing God” so far; but also “beseeches” and “exhorts” them “in the Lord Jesus” to “abound more and more” (1 THESSALONIANS 4:1). This is how we should be living, and should continue to live: in order to “please God.” This is an on-going work in our lives: to “please” God “more and more.”

Paul’s authority for this teaching is “the Lord Jesus” (1 THESSALONIANS 4:1; 1 THESSALONIANS 4:2). It behoves us to pay attention to these “commandments” (1 THESSALONIANS 4:2) because they do not originate with Paul, nor even with the other apostles, but with Jesus. Paul stands firm on his apostolic authority, knowing that (as he says elsewhere, in another context): ‘I received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you’ (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:23).

Furthermore, it is “the will of God” for us, that we should be holy (1 THESSALONIANS 4:3). The Apostle begins his discussion of what this means for us (for everyone, of all generations) by commanding “abstinence” from all kinds of sexual immorality. This is an ageless command: if we have been set apart BY God FOR God, then we must be separate FROM the heathen and hedonistic lifestyles of whatever generation we are living in.

The positive side of this teaching is that we should learn how to control ourselves, and to keep ourselves “in sanctification and honour” (1 THESSALONIANS 4:4). In contrast to this, Paul cites the passionate lust of the heathen, “which do not know God” (1 THESSALONIANS 4:5). It is OUR responsibility not to be like them – although we do have the help of “the Holy Spirit” (cf. 1 THESSALONIANS 4:8).

It is possible for Christians to be quite blasé about what they do and do not do. I have known respected Christians to excuse their own indiscretions with an assertion taken right out of context: that ‘it is covered by the blood.’ We need to be careful, because the Bible clearly teaches our accountability before the Lord, both here in this context (1 THESSALONIANS 4:6), and in 2 Corinthians 5:10.

We are called to be holy (1 THESSALONIANS 4:7). Christians are already ‘holy’ in God’s eyes, due to our consecration to Him. Here we are encouraged to live the life, and walk the walk, and to live up to our potential. In our outward deportment and behaviour we are to remember who we are and whose we are, and live up to the family likeness (cf. 1 Peter 1:15-16).

We have been sanctified, once and for all and forever, by the body of Jesus Christ (cf. Hebrews 10:10). Yet we must follow, pursue, strive for … personal holiness (cf. Hebrews 12:14).

To reject this calling is to reject God (1 THESSALONIANS 4:8). But He does not leave us to struggle on alone: He has “given unto us” His “Holy” Spirit. ‘Faithful is He who calls you, who also will do it’ (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:24; Philippians 1:6).