November 26, 2015
Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:6b-8
The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. 7For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.
Questions for Reflection:
This passage gives the “why” to the “what” of the precediing verses. In 2009, Simon Sinek released a book called “Start with Why.” In the book, Sinek argues that what we do has importance, but the why, the belief, behind what we do is of greater importance. In verses 3-6, Paul instructed the church on the what of sanctification. In verses 6-8, he offers the why. There are three different whys he gives. What reason does Paul offer in verse 6? What is the why offered in verse 7? Finally, what reason does he give in verse 8?
Paul begins by reminding the Thessalonians that Jesus is going to ultimately judge our actions. Second, he reminds them that God has called us to a holy life. Finally, he points out that the commands are from God, not humans. Therefore rejecting the commands does not mean you are rejecting the guidance of other believers but rather the direction of God. Paul roots his ethic in his understanding of who God is and what He has done. He believed that God was the ultimate authority for everything in the world, including his life.
There is one other thing we would be remiss to look over found in verse 8. Notice that God doesn’t merely give us commands, but He also gives us someone to help us live those commands out. Who does God give us to help us? As Holmes writes in his commentary, “God does not merely define by his character the standard according to which his followers are to live; he provides as well the power by which one can live.” The call to holiness can seem difficult unless you remember that God gives you everything you need to make that a reality. He is the not just the author of your faith, but He also is the perfector (Hebrews 12:2). Spend time today asking God to empower you to live out the faith He has called you to.