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"This is the will of God..."

Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:3

PRACTISING HOLINESS

One of the commandments that Paul and Silas paid attention to was the problem of immorality.

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification:
that you should abstain from sexual immorality.”

1 Thessalonians 4:3

1. “For this is the will of God”

a) In this context the will of God is a reference to His commandments.

b) The will of God represents the following:-

i) It is an express decree from God.

ii) It commands obedience.

2. “Your sanctification”

a) The word “sanctification” carries the following features:

i) It is a command to be holy before God.

ii) It matters to God that we practise holiness.

b) The world tends to mock people who are holy.

i) We must never be ashamed to practise holiness.

ii) It entails being devoted to God and obedience to His will.

3. “That you should abstain from sexual immorality”

a) The problem of immorality is age-old.

b) One major problem was that of prostitution.

c) All believers are commanded to abstain from sexual immorality.

THE WORLD VERSUS GOD

The world and God are at odds in this particular area. The world will lobby and promote sexual immorality in direct conflict with God’s commandments. The following approaches are taken:

1. Holiness is decried as an outdated moral.

2. Morality is seen merely as a choice and not a commandment from God.

3. Immorality gains ground when:

a) We do not practise holiness.

b) When we feel ashamed of our high moral code.

c) When we are weak and yield to immorality.