1st Thessalonians 4:3-7
Tuesday, January 15th, 2008For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 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.
For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.
1st Thessalonians 4:3-7
Have a marvelous Tuesday!
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January 15th, 2008 at 10:43 am
It Kinda stood out for me this morning that this verse begins with “For this is the will of God, your sanctification”.
If one ever feels that they dont know the will of God for their lives, this helps tremendously!
Sanctified is a popular “church word” that means many things to many people in many contexts - but all it really means is to be set apart for special purpose or usage. Your fine china is sanctified. Your tuxedo or evening gown is sanctified. Even your 6 year old jeans with the perfect hole in the knee are sanctified!
As God’s people we are set apart. That’s His will for us - to be separated (2 Corinthians 6:14-18), to be His chosen people (1 Peter 2:9),
It stands to reason that whatever the specifics are regarding His plans and purpose for our life we need to know that it all causes our sanctification and benefits from our sanctification!
Pastor George - VOTD Moderator
January 15th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
I attended a Tuesday morning men’s Bible study today. the fella was teaching from Gen 37 - Joseph. Told us that God is calling men to “be different”. Not obedient, holy - different. Sounds like a political candidate promising “change”. It’s a relative term that is non-specific. He went on to tell us that God has a unique BIG purpose and plan for each man - we should ask God to reveal it. Joseph, you see, was “different, driven, and dedicated”; he had “commitment, character, and (I kid you not) a colored coat.” I am different from Joseph in that I’m “discouraged, disenchanted, and dumped-on”.
Then VOTD showed up in my in-box and I saw that I was wrong! God does think I’m special and He does have a unique, big dream for my life! It happens to be the very same will He has for every other redeemed soul that has ever drawn breath - explicitly spelled out in these verses as well as 1 Thessalonians 5:16 - 18 (which my loving wife put in front of my face a few years back when I was greatly dissatisfied with my job. You shold see that note! She’s God’s gift to me.)
January 16th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Hey Stuart -
I loved the line with the three c’s - commitment, character and colored coat! LOL!
There is no bigger aspiration than to be a child of God! Whatever height we may ascend to in life by the hand of God its just to cause us to be His people!
God is so good!