Passage Read: 1 Thessalonians 3-4
Meditation Verses: 4:7-8
Thought
God has not called us to remain in impurity, but to be and to grow in holiness. The Gospel is not just a call to forgiveness, but to a transformed life. It is a call to repentance, to turning away from impurity and immorality, and a turning to holiness, righteousness and purity. In saving us, He made us holy and intends to guide us into holy living. It is not something that happens at some far off time, when Jesus returns. It is something that is supposed to be happening right now. We are to put off impurity and immorality and learn from Jesus what pleases His Father and do it. It is not something that happens without our effort. We are called, and we must respond in submission and obedience. And whoever claims to believe in the Lord, yet refuses to change his ways, such a man is rejecting the very God he claims to believe.
Application
Sanctification is not an optional add-on to my Christian life, but it is God's purpose in saving me. Over and over, the Scriptures tell me to get rid of all anger and bitterness and immorality and impurity. Over and over, the Scriptures tell me to grow in love for fellow believers and for all men. These are what God desires to work in me, if I will cooperate with His Spirit and receive instruction from His Word. If I do not care about learning to live a life pleasing to Him, I need to consider that I am rejecting the One who gives the Holy Spirit. If I reject Him, I should not be surprised to find myself rejected in the end.