Feeding the Sheep - Act of Gratitude
Sanctification and Love
"Finally, believers, we ask and admonish you in the Lord Jesus, that you follow the instruction that you received from us about how you ought to walk and please God (just as you are actually doing) and that you excel even more and more [pursuing a life of purpose and living in a way that expresses gratitude to God for your salvation]. For you know what commandments and precepts we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, that you be sanctified [separated and set apart from sin]: that you abstain and back away from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor [being available for God’s purpose and separated from things profane], not [to be used] in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God and are ignorant of His will; and that [in this matter of sexual misconduct] no man shall transgress and defraud his brother because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we have told you before and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness [to be dedicated, and set apart by behavior that pleases Him, whether in public or in private]. So whoever rejects and disregards this is not [merely] rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you [to dwell in you and empower you to overcome temptation].
Now concerning brotherly love, you have no need for anyone to write you, for you have been [personally] taught by God to love one another [that is, to have an unselfish concern for others and to do things for their benefit]."
-Paul writing to the first chirch in Thessalonica, 1st century
1 Thessalonians 4:1-9
[This is the 12th message of this series]
This lesson is intended for mature believers (or adulting believers). For a more orderly study, please go through all the previous messages first, if you haven't yet.
Love
The message of the gospel is and will always be, love. And living a life of gratitude towards Our Savior and Lord.
Christians were ransomed, redeemed, blood washed and clothed in heavenly clothes. We are called to love God and one another, with the love of Christ. Not with our human kind of love, which is dependent on external and internal factors. It is selfish. It depends on how we feel (and how others feel), it is fickle and moody. God's love never changes, it is fearless and it conquers all. God showed us love when we were so unlovable, sometimes we don't even love ourselves.
Environment
Christians are set apart but live in a world inhabited by both the spiritually unregenerated and those who have been spiritually reborn, many of whom are still trying to figure out this new life and be who God called them to be.
In that place and time (1st century Greek city of Thessalonica) sexual immorality along with many social ills were prevalent (as in today).
Set Apart
And going against the flow is what sets believers apart from so many who are merely moving along the path of least resistance. Most people follow men (and human made rules) and not God because of the pressure and the need to belong and because of lack of knowledge and ignorance.
The Way
Christ showed humankind the way and how life was meant to be lived and not through intimidation, force or fear. Not by might nor by power. But through His love and by the Holy Spirit of God.
God gave us freewill and He will never force us into anything we do not wish to do. But with God's Word and His Spirit, those of us who have tasted the love of God and have been justified through faith in Christ, reconciled with Our heavenly Father and welcomed back into His family and the fellowship of believers are learning to walk with God's Spirit daily, we will be fully sanctified at the time we are called back home.
And going against the flow is what sets believers apart from so many who are merely moving along the path of least resistance. Most people follow men (and human made rules) and not God because of the pressure and the need to belong and because of lack of knowledge and ignorance.
The Way
Christ showed humankind the way and how life was meant to be lived and not through intimidation, force or fear. Not by might nor by power. But through His love and by the Holy Spirit of God.
God gave us freewill and He will never force us into anything we do not wish to do. But with God's Word and His Spirit, those of us who have tasted the love of God and have been justified through faith in Christ, reconciled with Our heavenly Father and welcomed back into His family and the fellowship of believers are learning to walk with God's Spirit daily, we will be fully sanctified at the time we are called back home.
We are citizens of heaven and are ambassadors of Christ while we are still here with those who are citizens of this world -- the same people we used to be before we accepted God's gift of salvation.
Comments
Post a Comment