1 Thessalonians 4
1 Thessalonians 4:2-3
- 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:
Are you a fornicator? Maybe you are in a literal sense in which case, seriously pay attention to this chapter, however I realised in context that fornication is the opposite of sanctification. The people of Israel were accused by God of playing the harlot (fornication) by following other gods! Sanctification, on the other hand is setting yourself apart for God. Are you seeking holiness? If not then you are worse than a prostitute, is what Paul is saying here.
If you read the book of Hosea you find an amazing demonstration of this. Hosea's family life reflected the "adulterous" relationship which Israel had built with other gods. The relationship between Hosea and Gomer parallels the relationship between God and Israel. Even though Gomer runs away from Hosea and sleeps with another man, he loves her anyway and forgives her. Likewise, even though the people of Israel worshipped other gods, God continued to love them and did not abandon his covenant with them.
Hosea gives us the good news, that God is ready to forgive us, but far more damming is our own self judgement. It is easy to say, I seek to do the will of God. It is harder to say, I am set apart for God. It is very hard to say, I am a prostitute because I have failed to follow God as I already know I ought! what in your life do you already know is against God’s will?
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