Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Witnessing of the People of God


Stacy Daniel
St. Johns MTC, NY
8 Therefore whoever rejects this rejects not human authority but God, who also gives his Holy Spirit to you.

The book of Thessalonians is based on Paul's letter, encouraging the people of Thessalonica in their new-found faith.  In this passage, Paul is instructing the Thessalonians on how to live Christian lives, amidst the Pagans; lives that are free from sexual immorality. Paul reminds us that God’s will is for us to be sanctified.  Living a godly life includes following His commandments at all times, including when we think others are not looking. Paul warns the Thessalonians that God will indeed punish them for acts of impurity.  We also see this to be true in Ephesians 5:5 "For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person--such a man is an idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God."
 
Sexual immorality is addressed many times throughout the bible, from the Old to the New Testament.  Yet, if we look around us this problem is still ever present. Between the news stories of women being raped all over the world, children being abused, and  marriages ending due to infidelity, we can truly see that this is a problem that is steadily growing. We are living in a time like the Thessalonians, alongside "pagans".
 
Sexual immorality almost seems like it follows us.  With ads on TV and magazines, teenagers who are misguided on what is age appropriate in society and the easily accessible pornographic websites, how can we resist from falling to these temptations?  Although these temptations exist, 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us that "...God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." God will always provide us a way to fight these temptations.  We need to decide whether the short term gratifications are worth tearing families apart, desecrating our bodies and most of all rejecting our merciful and gracious God.

PRAYER


Dear Lord, Lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil.  Give us the strength to resist worldly temptations. We ask You for forgiveness at this time if we have fallen to these temptations.  Lord provide us a way to fight these temptations and to follow You always. Amen
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
The God who provides for us and loves us unconditionally offers us an eternity of happiness, rather than the short term happiness from sexual immorality. Which path will you take?

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