The Hope of Salvation (2)

The Will of God

1 Thessalonians 4:1–12 KJV 1900

Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 4

The ancient Greeks and Romans believed that the will of “god” could only be discovered through divination. But Paul teaches that God has made the mystery of His will known (Eph 1:9). He also instructs believers about the will of God so they can know how to please Him.

Ephesians 1:9 KJV 1900

Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

Paul exhorts the believers to continue to grow in their faith. He list three areas that we should consider as part of our sanctification.

Sexual morality

porneia refers to all sexually immorality, not just premarital sex or prostitution.

The apostles agreed that no one needed to keep the law in order to be a child of God. But they strictly warned the Gentiles to abstain from:

Acts 15:20 KJV 1900

But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

Consecration to God

the word vessel, skeuos, can refer to various objects or things.

2 Corinthians 4:7 KJV 1900

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Hebrews 9:21 KJV 1900

Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.

In this context it probably functions as a metaphor. Referring to the human body. Believers must use their bodies in a manner pleasing to God.

God is holy and invites us to share in His holiness.

1 Peter 1:16 KJV 1900

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Romans 6:14 KJV 1900

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Physical Labor

Some believe that a few of the believers used Christ’s future return as an excuse to stop working.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 KJV 1900

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

These areas should reflect the fact that we are complete in Christ.