Sanctification Part I
Living to Please God
4 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.
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.
1 Thessalonians 4 NIV
Breakdown
4:1 Paul had already talked about ways how to live to please God, yet in the verses coming up, we’re about to get a recap.
4:2 By the authority of King Jesus, these are the instructions given to live a life pleasing to God.
4:3 It is God’s will that we become sanctified.
John 17:17 says sanctify them in the truth. God’s Word is truth.
*Hosea 4:6 The first thing mentioned in that process is to avoid sexual immorality.
*1 Cor 6:12-20
Why? Rom 1:18-32
4:4 Heb 12:14; 2 Tim 1:7, 2:21; Prov 25:28; Gal 5:22-23
4:5 Rom 1:21-25
4:6 Rom 1:28-32
4:7 Eph 5:3-8
4:8 2 Pet 1:21
What is Sanctification?
It is the transformation of our minds from worldly thinking to God’s perspective. It is very easy to become saved, to say you believe in Jesus. Go to church, Bible Study, and wear a cross around your neck… and still not understand God’s will. God’s love. To solve problems with alcohol, drugs, & sex. To think that secular music isn’t demonic but just entertaining. Sanctification is a choice we make. And it is the only choice that aligns us with how to be a Citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven. To teach us that we don’t have to operate or solve problems the world’s way.
[…] than others. And all of us are still sinful in some way shape or form. Just know your not alone. Sanctification takes time. We have to learn to live and abide in love, and we must learn to let go of the sugar of […]