The Way - Day 057 (1 Thessalonians 4)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
Leaving some final advice to the Thessalonians, Paul addresses an issue which is extremely relevant to their sanctification. Sanctification is the process of abandoning sin in order to follow purity or holiness. Those who have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ are now commanded to live a life which reflects the character of Christ. To continue a lifestyle of sin and at the same time claim a relationship with God does not make sense. Jesus' death on the cross brought deliverance over the power of sin and provided freedom to live in righteousness and holiness; therefore, Paul challenges his readers to follow the will of God by abstaining from "sexual immorality." (4:3) Sexual immorality is a general term which refers to premarital sex, adultery, sexual lust, homosexuality as well as other things. The goal for a believer's sexuality is purity and any thought or action which compromises this purity is sin. Sexual sin is not limited to just actions, but also lustful thoughts. The Pharisees believed they were pure because they had never committed adultery, but Jesus said "whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:27-28) God's standard for sexuality is very high and His desire is that sex be between a man and a woman who have been joined together in a marriage relationship. Any sexual activity, whether through action or mind, outside a marriage relationship is sin. Instead of living in sexual immorality, Paul urges his readers that they "should know how to possess his own vessel [body] in sanctification and honor, not in the passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God." (4:4-5) The sexuality of a believer should be distinct from those who do not know God. Anyone who chooses to disobey God's standard of sexual purity will face consequences (4:6) because He called His followers to holiness, not uncleanness (4:7). I realize God's standard of purity seems very high, but He knows that relationships work best whenever a committed man and woman choose to spend the rest of their life together. When commitment, trust, and acceptance is a part of a marriage relationship we experience sex the way God meant it to be. God is not against sex...He created it, but He wants His followers to obey His will in our sexuality.

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12
In his final words to the Thessalonians, Paul had already challenged the church to be pure in their sexuality realizing God had called them to the highest possible standard...they were to live distinct from the lost world around them (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8). In verse 9, Paul writes them "concerning brotherly love" and reminds his readers that he shouldn't have to write to them about this subject because "you yourselves are taught by God to love one another." The Thessalonians were not failing in the area of loving others, but Paul's desire was for them to "increase more and more" in their love for others. When a person loves God with all their heart, they will have no problem loving others. Along with loving others, Paul metions several other things which should characterize the life of a believer. First, he encouraged them to "aspire to lead a quiet life." We live in a day when people thrive on "drama" or seek to cause conflict. This type of lifestyle should never describe that of a believer. Take a moment to examine yourself - do you constantly have controversy in the midst of your life? Do you seem to have issues with many of your friends and family or even fellow Christians? If so, maybe you need to heed Paul's warning to the Thessalonians and attempt to live a "quiet life." The next challenge goes hand in hand with the first - "mind your own business." If a situation does not involve you, do not get in the middle of it. Again, take a careful inventory of your heart and confess those areas where you have become involved in a situation which did not involve you. A Christian should not be known as one who is involved in the latest disagreement or controversy, but rather should do his or her best to live a life which brings attention to God, not to self. Paul also writes that they would "work with your own hands." Simply put, Paul challenges them to work hard and not fear "getting their hands dirty." Before Paul moves on to comfort the Thessalonians in their trials, he commands them to "walk properly toward those who are outside." Some Christians believe they only have an obligation to treat fellow believers with respect, but Paul wants them to also respect the lost. The Christian world must do a better job at loving others instead of always judging them. I agree...we should never tolerate sin, but we should always be guilty of going the extra mile in expressing our love for others. This love cannot be a fake love with strings attached, but must be a genuine love which has resulted out of a proper understanding of God's love for us. I am reminded of what Paul wrote in Romans: "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Paul identifies with the church at Thessalonica so much because he completely understood the hardships they faced every day. Throughout the first couple chapters Paul had attempted to bring comfort to them as well as challenge them to be faithful to Jesus Christ even when times are tough. It is easy to lose heart when everything seems to be against you, but Paul promised that their faith in Jesus Christ would sustain them. It appears that one of the major issues with which the church was struggling was the death of friends and family. Paul writes "I do not want you to be ignorant [uninformed], brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep [died], lest you sorrow as others who have no hope." Paul knew the death of a loved one was a regrettable circumstance, but he wanted to put everything into perspective for them. During Paul's ministry he taught that Jesus' return could come at any time and many of his listeners thought that meant He would come back during their lifetime. So, as they watched friends and family die they began to become concerned about what happened to those who passed away before Jesus' return. Paul spends the next few verses giving them hope. Paul writes about the condition for having hope: "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep [are dead] in Jesus." Simply put, Paul was saying those who die believing in Jesus Christ for salvation will one day rise again for an eternity in heaven with God (4:14). The Thessalonians knew that Jesus would set up His kingdom on earth, but they were not fully aware of the rapture (event of Christ appearing in the clouds to take believers with Him before the 7 year tribulation period). Paul explains the events which will take place: "we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven...and the dead in Christ will rise first." Jesus had promised His followers that He was leaving them "to prepare a place...and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself" (John 14:1-3). Paul was revealing that those who died believing in Christ would be the first ones resurrected when He returns in the clouds and forever spend eternity with Him. Their spirit is already with the Lord and now their bodies will be resurrected to be united with their spirit. Those who are alive at the time of Christ's return will be caught up (raptured) with the dead and will meet the Lord in the air (4:17). From this time forward, all believers (dead or alive) have the assurance of eternal life after death and will spend eternity with the Lord in the place which He has been preparing (4:17b). Paul commands that the Thessalonians "comfort one another with these words" (4:18). Paul did not want the church at Thessalonica to be discouraged in their hardships, but rather be comforted knowing that there is hope of resurrection for both the dead and the living!

Dear God, comfort me in knowing that eternal life awaits those who believe in Jesus Christ!