1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
The words in this book have the authority of Jesus. That weighs heavy on me when I chose to sin.
3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore,
anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but
God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.
Sexual immorality is everywhere. Very few films today can be seen without some sexual content. We are not to live this way. We're to be in control of our passions. Verse 6 specifically warns us not to take advantage of our brothers or sisters in Christ in a sexual manner. This is very important to me as I begin dating again. Verse 8 again warns us, that to reject this instruction is to reject the word of God. I've made my share of mistakes. I've confessed them and now I move forward.
9 Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 10 And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life:
Love more. No matter how much you think you love there is always room for more.
You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
Convicting that I read these words after balancing my check book and checking my credit card statement. I was shocked to see what I'd charged with the intent of paying it next check. The is not enough money in the checkbook to pay the credit card. I've become dependent on the card this past month. No more.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you spirit brothers and sisters. Amen.
Verse 9 states "you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other". A noble command, but we are unable to do so without the guidance and dependence on the Holy Spirit DAILY. Sometimes minute by minute. We need to pray for that ability; being commanded to do so is an exercise in futility if we don't lean on our Savior. Our love is conditional; agape love comes from the filling of the Holy Spirit. Praying for you dear friend :)
ReplyDelete