June 11, 2024

1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 (HCSB)
The Call to Sanctification
4 Finally then, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus, that as you have received from us how you must walk and please God—as you are doing—do so even more. 2 For you know what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is God’s will, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality, 4 so that each of you knows how to control his own body in sanctification and honor, 5 not with lustful desires, like the Gentiles who don’t know God. 6 This means one must not transgress against and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger of all these offenses, as we also previously told and warned you. 7 For God has not called us to impurity but to sanctification. 8 Therefore, the person who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who also gives you His Holy Spirit. Loving and Working 9 About brotherly love: You don’t need me to write you because you yourselves are taught by God to love one another. 10 In fact, you are doing this toward all the brothers in the entire region of Macedonia. But we encourage you, brothers, to do so even more, 11 to seek to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 so that you may walk properly in the presence of outsiders and not be dependent on anyone.

Georgia Rittenberry
In these verses we are instructed on how to live in order to please God. We are to avoid sexual immortality and control our own body in a way that is holy and honorable. Paul mentions that The Lord will punish all who commit such sins. Many people today think that it is alright to live together and have sexual relations outside of marriage, but this is not what God says. Who do you think you should listen to, God or someone else? I choose God! Paul also tells us to be peaceful and not get into the business of others. He also reminds us to have a productive work ethic. We can’t be effective in sharing our faith with others if we are not respected by them. Show them by being faithful, working hard, and being a positive influence in your community. How are you a positive influence? What advice would you give others on how to be a positive influence?