For This is God’s Will – Part 2
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification” – 1
Thessalonians 4:3a
“For this is the will of
God, your sanctification” (1 Thessalonians 4:3a). One of the most common questions asked by
people is “What is God’s will for me?” Paul’s words show it is possible to
know God’s will. To understand God’s will we need to first consider that
there are two aspects of God’s will: the general and particular aspect.
In part one our focus was how to discern the particular will of God. In this
second part we will consider an important general aspect of God’s will for us. The
context of this verse is pertinent to contemporary issues. Lately there has
been a great deal of discussion about sexuality. In this letter to the
Thessalonians Paul speaks very clearly about God’s will as it pertains
particularly to sexual interaction.
Paul
is inspired to write the Thessalonians that their sanctification involved, “that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4
that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification
and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not
know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his
brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as
we also forewarned you and testified” (4:3b-6). While this may pertain
to a particular situation in the lives of the Thessalonians, it certainly is
God’s desire for all His children. What do we learn about the sanctified life
from these verses?
First,
God’s will to be sanctified involves abstaining from “sexual immorality”
(4:3b). Paul says being sanctified involves, “that
you should abstain from sexual immorality.” “Sexual immorality” is
translated from a single Greek term porneia which is translated by the
words fornication, adultery, unchastity, prostitution, immorality, and even
idolatry. We derive the word pornography from this term. Sexual
immorality is something that comes from a state of the heart (Mat. 15:19; Mark
7:21). It is a result of rebelling against God (Rom. 1:28-32). It is a work of
the sinful nature (Gal. 5:19). It is a grief to God and those who serve Him (2
Cor. 12:21). It should not have any place among God’s people (Eph. 5:3). In
Christ we should put sexual immorality to death in our lives (Col. 3:5).
And
that is what Paul exhorts the Thessalonian believers to do, abstain from
sexual immorality. The word “abstain” (Greek
apĕchŏmai) means to hold oneself off, to refrain from, to abstain. The
grammar of this term (Present/Middle/Infinitive) refers to a constant
ongoing (Present tense) action. It refers to an action a person does to or
for himself (Middle voice). It is an action as in to abstain (Infinitive
Mood). When we put it all together we are to always hold off sexual immorality
for our own good. It is a work of the Holy Spirit in us to live a sanctified
life. But there is a part we play in this; something we are responsible to do; a
cooperation with Him.
Sexual
immorality is not only a physical act but also involves mental fantasy. Jesus
said, “you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit
adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has
already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Mat. 5:27-28). Jesus said we
should make every effort and take drastic measures to avoid such sins of the
mind and heart (Mat. 5:29-30). We aren’t to literally pluck out our eyes or
chop off body parts like some religions do. But we are to take drastic measures
that may include throwing out a TV, computor, IPad, or IPhone if it is being
used to watch pornography.
“Sexual
immorality” refers to and is defined as any sexual interaction mental or
physical outside of the marriage bond. To be clear, this would involve
anything that stimulates people sexually outside the marriage bond. The
marriage bond is sacred and holy. Marriage was instituted by God for the union
of one man and one woman in a life covenant lived out in the sight of God (Gen.
2:23-25). Marriage was created by God for procreation (Gen. 1:27-28). Marriage
was created by God so that a man and a woman in a life commitment to each other
made in the sight of God could freely and guiltlessly enjoy sexual pleasure
(Heb. 13:4). That alone is holy sex.
Second,
God’s will to be sanctified involves taking care of our own bodies (4:4). Paul writes, “that each of you should know how to possess
his own vessel in sanctification and honor.” The term “vessel” (Greek skĕuŏs) simply refers to an
instrument, a vessel, implement, equipment, apparatus, or utensil. Paul
is obviously referring here to our bodies and in particular our sexual
equipment. We should know how to use our sexual body parts with sanctification
and honor. The word “honor” (Greek teemay)
is interesting. It means here to treat our bodies and particularly our sexual
organs, with dignity, respect, honor, and in a valued way. Are
you treating your body and the body of your spouse in an honorable way? Is your
spouse treating your body in an honorable way?
Our bodies are not for the purpose of sexual immorality (cf. 1 Cor. 6:13,
18). Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 cor. 6:19). We, including our
bodies, belong to God (1 Cor. 6:20). We have been purchased with the precious
blood of Jesus! Therefore we have no right to take what God has made holy and
use it for unholy purposes such as sexual immorality.
Third,
God’s will to be sanctified involves having an unworldly standard (4:5). Paul tells the
Thessalonians that their attitudes should be, “not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God.” The
word “passion” (Greek pathos) means inordinate, uncontrolled emotion.
The word “lust” (Greek ĕpithumia)
means yearning or longing for what is forbidden. If you watch TV or go
to the movies it’s not difficult to deduct “passion of lust.” Everywhere people
are portrayed as struggling with or giving into their uncontrolled passions for
what is forbidden. Adulterous affairs, crimes of passion, stealing, cheating,
it’s all a part of what is done “like the Gentiles who do not know God.” What
is your standard of living? How do you approach the area of sex? Like the world
with no limits, no true godly love, carefree sex with no commitments, indulging
in sexual fantasy that pays no attention to the persons involved? What is your
standard? Is your standard sanctified; it is holy?
Fourth,
God’s will to be sanctified involves honesty with others (4:6). Lastly Paul says, “that no one should take advantage of and
defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all
such, as we also forewarned you and testified.” The words “take advantage of” come from a single
Greek term (hupĕrbainō) and literally mean to step out of line with, to go
beyond acceptable limits or parameters of decency, or transgress. The
term “defraud” (Greek plĕŏnĕktĕō)
means to be covetous, to manipulate someone in an unjust way, to take
advantage of someone, or to exploit. Paul is defining sanctified
behavior as not being selfishly aimed at profiting off of others. The
sanctified person does not seek to profit themselves at the expense of others.
Instead the sanctified person should be others oriented. Paul in another
epistle said, “esteem others better” than yourself (Phil. 2:3). We are to have
the mind of Christ, not a selfish, carnal, others-using attitude toward people
(cf. Phil. 2:1-11). The things warned against by Paul are all contrary to the
love that disciples of Jesus are supposed to have (John 13:34-35; Rom. 5:5; 1
Cor. 13:4-8). The sanctified life is a life that leads to honesty with others
and looking out for the best interest of others. Are you others oriented or a
me-first type of person? Do you take advantage of people sexually? Do you
manipulate people to serve your own purpose and passions? Or do you live within
the scriptural parameters of God’s word; especially as it pertains to sex?
What
about the will of God in your life? Are you living in a way that even considers
discerning or finding God’s will for you? Are you a living sacrifice, fully
surrendered to God? Are you saying to God, “Not my will but Your will be done
in my life?” This is all part of living a life of sanctification. Is this life
yours? Now that you know God’s will, will you obey it, will you do it, will you
live it? God’s will is for us to live sanctified lives.
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