God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. 1 Thessalonians 4:3
As we consider the significance of choosing the right person to spend the rest of our lives with, we must also remember the importance of living a pure life. Indeed, this is a command straight from Scripture. As followers of Christ, we are called to a lifestyle of purity. We are called to live a life set apart for Christ.
Paul does not mince words when he calls followers of Christ to live pure lives in 1 Thessalonians 4. “God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin,” he wrote (verse 3). In other words, Paul calls us to live pure lives. Why does he issue this call? He calls us to live this way because God wants His followers to be holy or set apart from the rest of the world. He wants us to stay away from living like the world and participating in the sins of the world. When we do this, we set an example for the rest of the watching world. Therefore, regardless of your past or where you are today, you can turn to God and commit to living a pure lifestyle and asking Him for help in doing this.
If this call to live a holy, pure, and set apart life feels difficult, there is good news. You are not alone. You see, God not only calls His people to be pure and to live a pure lifestyle, but He also helps us do it. He provides the Holy Spirit who walks with us and helps us make wise decisions and stay away from sin, including sexual impurity. He also provides Scripture to help show us how to live as well.
Regardless of your past and whatever you are facing today, let’s commit to seeking purity. Examine your life for a few minutes. Is there an area of your life where you know you have not been living the lifestyle of purity and holiness that God calls His followers to live? Then, it’s time to turn to God. He is always ready for His people to turn back to Him, and forgiveness is readily available.
Spend time praying to God with the words of Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” Confess any area of your life that impurity is lingering.
1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 (NLT)
Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more. For you remember what we taught you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor—not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways. Never harm or cheat a fellow believer in this matter by violating his wife, for the Lord avenges all such sins, as we have solemnly warned you before. God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives. Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
But we don’t need to write to you about the importance of loving each other, for God himself has taught you to love one another. Indeed, you already show your love for all the believers throughout Macedonia. Even so, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you to love them even more.
Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.
©2024 Sagebrush Church
