Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness” (1 Thessalonians 4:3-7). God called us in holiness. This is the big picture that explains why Christians are to live as they do.
This is a sentiment that is expressed throughout the Bible. For example, the apostle Peter quoted from the book of Leviticus when he wrote, “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:13-16).
The will of God is our sanctification. As it is used in our text the word (hagiasmos) is defined by Thayer, “the effect of consecration; sanctification of heart and life.” In other words God has set us apart to do His will, to live our lives righteously without exception or excuse. This is a truth that Paul taught after discussing the salvation of man through the grace of God. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
Many in the religious world place little emphasis on God’s desire that we live lives of consecration. The grace of God has certainly been cheapened in the minds of some. Paul asked the question, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? (Romans 6:1-2).
The picture given of the saved in the entire Bible is a group of holy, reverent, righteous people who love God and make it their aim to serve Him always. The view that some religious people express is that since God has saved me I can live my life like I desire, and He will send me to heaven because He loves me. This is dangerous, and certainly not in keeping with God’s word.
God tells us to change. To “put on the new man” (Colossians 3:9). The promise you are given by the Holy Spirit is that if you do these things, “you will never stumble, for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:10-11). Heed these words!
