Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
A LIFE WELL PLEASING TO GOD
For God did
not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who
rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God
who gives you his Holy Spirit. (1Thess4:7,8)
In this
passage, Paul addresses many moral issues believers face and highlights our need for new morality through
perpetual sanctification. The
goal is not lowering moral standards corresponding to our behavior, rather complying with God’s standards
continuously in holiness. We should always realize that Jesus came not just to
redeem and receive us into heaven, but to enable us to live a life pleasing to
God as well. Three dilemmas dealt here are: Moral Purity; Brotherly Love; and
Ambition.
Moral Purity: Sexual duplicity and debauchery were socially accepted norms in Greece.
So, what is the difference between then and now? Whatever difference we may
find, the voice for conformity to fleshly desires is noisier and remorseless.
Infidelity is the number one reason for divorce in the US. Ironically, the
sacrilegious voice arises from behind the facade of freedom and inclusion. But
we must realize that God set us free to seek and commune with Him; not to heed
and conform to the sensual voice of the world and amend God’s standard. He set
us free to be inclusive by uplifting and edifying others, but not to buddy up,
condone and revel their way of life. Remember how Joseph reacted to the
seductive wife of Potiphar, “how then can I do this great wickedness and sin
against God?” Sanctity of marriage and family life can only be cherished, when
we accept that “our body is a temple of God and it is to be offered as a
living sacrifice.” In Hebrews, we read that “without holiness, no man shall
see God.”
Brotherly Love: Paul emphatically challenges us to be benevolent in brotherly love and
reminds that “we have been taught so by God” (v9). Paul is not talking about
the love for all men, rather fellow believers. It is to uproot any skirmish
among the believers that might hamper spiritual growth. Paul is alluding to
what Jesus said to the disciples “All people will know that you are my
followers if you love each other.”
Ambition:
Personal ambition is quite often born of self, fostered by pride and
seeks to be sanctified as admirable. It promotes selfish, worldly schemes and
apostasy. In chapter 3, we see some of the Thessalonians quit their job in
apprehension of the return of Christ. They were restless, and interfered with
people’s business. Subsequently, Paul admonishes to work for living; refrain
from other people’s affairs; and long for a quiet life. What is our ambition?
We may not build houses in Mexico, but we can build a spiritually nourishing
home for our families. We may not care for sick children overseas, but we can
comfort and pray over a sick child at home. We may not preach across the
world, but we can lead family prayer at home. Thus our lives will be a
pleasing life to Christ.