INTERSECT | Holiness Matters

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

In the 1960s, The Rolling Stones had a smash hit called “Let’s Spend the Night Together.” Considering their success, Ed Sullivan gave the Stones an opportunity to play the song on his late night television show…on one condition. He asked the band to change the lyrics from “Let’s spend the night together” to “Let’s spend some time together.” The show’s producers evidently thought the song pushed the envelope too far, and viewers would be offended. Surprisingly, the band agreed.

My, how times have changed. Today, pop music, movies, television shows, and most other forms of media offer graphic, sexually-charged content without raising an eyebrow. Not only does our culture push the envelope when it comes to sexual content, but it also screams loudly that promiscuity is normal, and no restrictions should be placed on sexual “freedom.” Today’s Christian striving to live a pure life often feels tremendous temptation to conform to this morally-crumbling culture.

While today’s sexual boundaries have been moved (or removed), the sexual boundaries in God’s Word have not changed, and they are boundaries established for our good. This is precisely what 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 addresses: purity in relationships. Verse 3 is the key to the passage, noting our sanctification is the will of God. Sanctification is a big word we don’t use every day, but it is crucial for our everyday lives. In Scripture, when something or someone was sanctified, that item or person was set apart to God. A closely related word is holiness, which is also emphasized throughout this passage.

It is crucial to know there are dimensions to sanctification. A one-time, immediate dimension of sanctification happens when we are saved. God sets us apart from the world as His children. At this moment, He gives us the holiness of Jesus. He imputes to us (as sinners) Christ’s perfect holiness. Another dimension of sanctification is reflected in the way we live, as we bring our sinful human natures into conformity with the holiness of Christ. Here’s an easy way to think about it: God gives us positional holiness in Christ that doesn’t change from day to day. But we must practice or live out our holiness based on our identity in Christ.

In this passage, Paul specifically targeted relational purity or, to put it negatively, urged us to abstain from sexual immorality. God designed the sexual union to take place within the context of marriage alone, and any deviation from His plan is destructive and damaging. Paul offers advice for maintaining sexual purity:

Maintain purity by avoidance. Not only is God’s will right (regardless of culture and time), but His will is also always best for us. This passage makes it clear it is God’s will for us to abstain from sexual immorality. Immorality is a broad term encompassing any sexual activity outside biblical marriage.

However, it is important to note sexuality is not evil and should not be considered a bad thing by Christians. God designed human sexuality, and it is a beautiful creation when expressed properly. As the designer, He knows deviation leads to destruction; thus, He commands us to abstain. This doesn’t mean occasional abstinence. I “abstain” from bread and sweets when I am trying to lose weight, but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy a slice of pie or a yeast roll on special occasions.
When it comes to immorality, complete abstinence is required.

This is the idea communicated here: we demonstrate our sanctification, our commitment to holiness, by avoiding sexual immorality.

Maintain purity through self-control. God has given you a body, and what you do with your body matters. The original language in verse four reads, “that each of you know how to possess his own vessel.” In modern terms, the phrase simply urges us to keep our bodies under control. When God is in your life, you have the capacity and ability to choose to do the right things with your body. Be self-controlled.

Every year, during the college football season, a particular scene along the sidelines makes me shake my head. Some fiery head coach, full of fury and frustration, darts past the line that only the players and officials are supposed to cross. Immediately, another coach, appropriately described as the “get back coach,” grabs the head coach and pulls him back behind the line to avoid a penalty. The coach’s action sends a terrible message regarding self-control to his team.

The same person who urges players to exercise self-control on the field cannot follow that advice himself. He needs someone to pull him back.

When it comes to sexuality, Christians pursuing holiness need to choose to do right to avoid crossing the line of immorality.

Maintain purity by not transgressing. The biblical term transgression describes going past or stepping over a God-given boundary or command. We acknowledge the vertical dimension to this: when we transgress God’s laws, we sin against Him. However, in this case, sexual transgression additionally hurts you and others. Paul said when a person chooses immorality, that individual “defrauds” or takes advantage of the other person (verse 6). Paul followed up this statement by warning readers the Lord is the avenger. In other words, when we succumb to sexual immorality, and thus take advantage of others sexually, the Lord will bring about judgment.

In these verses, we also find three clear motivations to follow Paul’s admonition to purity:

1. God’s calling. God has not called us to impurity (verse 7), but to holiness. This calling is both personal and directional. It is personal from the standpoint that God is calling each of us personally. It is directional because the call is away from impurity toward purity and holiness, a life consecrated to God.
   

2. God’s Word. Throughout these verses, Paul refers to admonitions the Thessalonians had received previously (Scripture) and warns them that ignoring the message disregards God, not man. And disregarding God is serious business.
   

3. God’s Spirit. God has graciously given us His Holy Spirit. We have no greater gift than His abiding presence, and there is no greater intimacy and love than this. As Christians, our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. He takes up residence in our lives through His abiding and indwelling presence. His presence enables us to live pure lives, despite temptations and cultural pressures.
   

Sexual purity is a delicate and difficult topic, but one we need to hear. If you have fallen into immorality, good news! You can experience forgiveness and cleansing. First John 1:9 reminds us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just (righteous) to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Cling to those beautiful words penned by hymnwriter Charlotte Elliott: “Just as I am and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot. To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot: Oh, Lamb of God, I come.”

About the Columnist: Dr. Barry Raper pastors Bethel FWB Church near Ashland City, Tennessee. He also serves as program coordinator for ministry studies at Welch College. Barry and his wife Amanda have five children.