THE BOOK OF FIRST THESSALONIANS
(“Moral Purity Is God’s Will!”)
I Thessalonians 4:1-8 (NASU)
(A) FROM THE GENERAL TO THE SPECIFIC
(1) There comes a moment in most of Paul’s letters when the content becomes intensely practical and even personal – i.e. when he begins to give very specific instructions regarding how the Christians to whom he is writing ought to live as a result of their profession of faith in Christ. And of course, these same explicit instructions apply equally to you and me today.
Here in the Book of First Thessalonians, that moment comes in this morning’s Scripture lesson, at the start of chapter four (c.f. I Thessalonians 4:1-8). Paul closed the first part of this letter with a benediction, in which he asked the Lord to do a work of grace in the lives of the Thessalonian believers, so they would be found “blameless and HOLY” at Christ’s coming (c.f. I Thessalonians 3:13, NIV). Now, here in the opening verses of chapter four, he follows up that prayer by exhorting them to pursue “sanctification” – particularly in the area of moral purity (c.f. I Thessalonians 4:3-7).
(2) We noted last time1 that the word “sanctification” comes from the Greek word for “HOLY”2 – and refers to that gradual process (which begins immediately after our conversion to Christ), whereby we lay aside more and more of “the old self” with all its sinful acts and thoughts, and put on more and more of “the new self” which reflects the likeness of Christ – a likeness Ephesians chapter four says is characterized by the qualities of “righteousness and HOLINESS” (c.f. Ephesians 4:22-24).
While “sanctification” covers every area of our life as Christians, the area Paul is particularly interested in at this point in his letter is moral purity. Hence, he says (in verse three): “This is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality” – and again (in verse four): 4“that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5not in lustful passion …” – and once more (in verse seven): “For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification” (c.f. I Thessalonians 4:3-5, 7) – or, as the NIV renders it: “… God did not call us to be impure, but to live a HOLY life” (c.f. I Thessalonians 4:7, NIV).
(3) Earlier in this letter, Paul expressed his concern that (in his absence) “the tempter might have tempted” these new converts (c.f. I Thessalonians 3:5) to go back to their old way of life. Now we learn that part of that old way of life included various immoral practices, such as fornication, adultery, homosexuality, temple prostitution, and any other form of “sexual immorality”3 one could think of (c.f. I Thessalonians 4:3). In other words, the Thessalonian believers had been saved out of a permissive pagan culture very much like our own – where the god of sex ruled – and where the so-called freedom of sexual expression was considered a basic human right.4
Sexual sins are among the hardest to overcome – nor does a culture like the one the Thessalonian converts lived in (or the one we live in, for that matter) help in this regard. Indeed, societal influences, along with the forces of spiritual darkness (c.f. Ephesians 6:12), trying to draw Christians back into that perverse pornographic5 world, would have been (and still are) very strong. AND YET, by Christ’s enabling grace those of us who claim to be His disciples cannot allow ourselves to be drawn in (or back in) to that world. As Scripture says elsewhere: “How shall we who died to sin still live in it?” (c.f. Romans 6:2) – and again: 12“… do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, 13and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present … your members as instruments of righteousness to God” (c.f. Romans 6:12-13) – and once more: 9“… Do not be deceived; neither fornicators … nor adulterers … nor homosexuals 10… will inherit the kingdom of God” (c.f. I Corinthians 6:9-10).
AND, lest we become discouraged by setbacks (which can and do occur), or think God has left us to overcome these temptations all by ourselves, Scripture also says that: “greater is HE WHO IS IN YOU than he who is in the world” (c.f. I John 4:4) – and again: “whatever is born of GOD OVERCOMES the world” (c.f. I John 5:4) – and once more: “HE who began a good work in you WILL PERFECT IT” (c.f. Philippians 1:6).
(B) FROM IMMORALITY TO MORAL PURITY
(1) I’m going to follow an outline by John MacArthur this morning, in which he proposes three questions that are answered by the verses in this morning’s text – with the first question being: WHAT KIND Of Sexual Conduct Does God Require?6 Look at verse three, where Paul says (in part): “… this is the will of God … that you abstain from sexual immorality” (c.f. I Thessalonians 4:3).
It’s hard to know how this could be stated any more simply or clearly.6 It is God’s will that all people – but especially Christians – abstain from any and every form of moral impurity! Or, to put it another way, it is God’s will that all people – but especially Christians – purse the kind of sexual conduct that is morally pure and holy!
(a) We noted last time1 that the Greek word for “abstain” (“apecho”) (c.f. I Thessalonians 4:3) carries the idea of complete abstinence,3 or total restraint – as opposed to indulging in something, or giving ourselves a little “treat” every now and then. To “abstain” means to desist, to refrain, to avoid doing – it means to hold back from, to go without, or to turn our back on. Hence, it is God’s will that we totally and wholly “abstain” from any and every form of sexual activity, outside that which He has sanctioned to take place within the bounds of marriage (c.f. I Corinthians 7:2-5).
Moreover, this not only includes physical acts, but also non-physical forms of immorality – like searching for pornography on the internet, or lusting after a woman at work (or even at church) in our heart (c.f. Matthew 5:27-28). Hence, Job once said: “I (have) made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl” (c.f. Job 31:1, NIV).
(b) There are numerous abstinence passage in Scripture – beginning with the Seventh Commandment, which says: “You shall NOT commit adultery” (c.f. Exodus 20:14) (which the Westminster Larger Catechism correctly interprets to include all forms of sexual immorality of the body, mind, or heart).7 Then, there’s the passage in First Corinthians chapter six, where Paul says: “FLEE IMMORALITY. Every other sin … a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body” (c.f. I Corinthians 6:18) – with part of that sin against one’s own body often being some form of disease or deadly illness people contract as a result of their immoral behavior. Then we have Paul’s instructions to the Romans, where he says (in part, in chapter thirteen): 13“LET US BEHAVE PROPERLY … NOT in sexual promiscuity and sensuality … 14(but by) put(ting) on the Lord Jesus Christ, and mak(ing) no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts” (c.f. Romans 13:13-14) – with that phrase about “making no provision for the flesh” including not putting ourselves in a position where we KNOW we are going to be tempted to think or behave in an immoral and unholy manner.
(c) The passages exhorting us to moral purity are just as numerous. For example, Paul says (in Ephesians chapter five): 5“… you know … that no immoral or impure person … has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6Let no one deceive you (regarding this matter) with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7Therefore do not be partakers with them; 8for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; (so) walk as children of Light … 10trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord” (c.f. Ephesians 5:5-10).
Peter also speaks to this matter, telling Christians in one place to: 2“live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3For the time already past is sufficient for you to have … pursued a course of sensuality …” (c.f. I Peter 4:2-3). Then there’s the well-known passage where he says: 14“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15but like the Holy One who called you, BE HOLY yourselves … in all your behavior; 16because (God has said), ‘YOU SHALL BE HOLY, for I am holy’” (c.f. I Peter 1:14-16).
(d) The bottom line is, that everywhere we look in Scripture, God is very clear about the kind of sexual conduct He requires. Some may not like it – but there’s no denying what His stance is. Some may disagree with it, and even reject it (choosing to live the way they please) – but no one can say God has not made Himself very clear on the matter. His will is that people “abstain from sexual immorality” (c.f. I Thessalonians 4:3) – choosing to pursue moral purity instead.
(2) The second question MacArthur proposes is this: HOW Can A Believer Be Sexually Pure?8 – with the answer being found in verses four and five, where Paul says (in part) that: 4“… each of you (should) know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God” (c.f. I Thessalonians 4:4-5).
(a) First we see that in order to be sexually pure, we must maintain self-control over the sinful (and sometimes natural) desires of our body, rather than letting those desires control us.8
Some think that when Paul talks about “knowing how to possess our own VESSEL in sanctification and honor” (c.f. I Thessalonians 4:4), that he was talking about a man’s relationship with his wife9 – after the example of Peter’s comment in First Peter chapter three about the wife being a “weaker VESSEL” (c.f. I Peter 3:7, NKJV). There are good reasons to reject that interpretation, however, which I will not go into this morning for the sake of time. Any good commentary or study bible can explain the matter more fully, if you are interested.
Sufficient to say that Paul is not just talking to men here in our text, but to both men AND women, when he says that we need to “know how to possess (our) own vessel (or own body) in sanctification and honor” (c.f. I Thessalonians 4:4) – with the idea being that moral purity depends on our gaining mastery over the desires of our body8 – that moral purity depends on learning how to keep our physical appetites under control, so that our body can be used for holy (or sanctified) purposes, rather than lustful sinful pursuits which ultimately bring shame and dishonor to both our body and to us (even though the world has lost much of its sense of shame over immoral behavior) – and not to mention the fact that our sexual sins bring great shame and dishonor to Christ (c.f. II Samuel 12:14).
(b) Today’s American culture is much like that of first century Thessalonica – in that, apart from Christ, people tend to act and speak largely on the basis of whatever physical appetite or emotional impulse has them in its grip at the moment – which underscores (in passing) the fact that immoral behavior is not a servant we control, but a powerful master who enslaves its victims.10 In other words, we live in a culture that is driven to a great extent by the perceived need for instant gratification, and a “if it feels good, do it” mentality.10 Hence, Paul talks in another place about those “… whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame …” (c.f. Philippians 3:19) – or, as a children’s paraphrase puts it, who, “instead of serving God … do whatever their bodies want … and … are proud of it” (ICB).
It should be obvious that no one who lives by such a pagan code of conduct can (or will) remain morally pure in any area of their life for very long. Hence, as Christians, the only way we can live a sexually pure and holy life is by learning how to keep our body under control. As Paul says elsewhere: “I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that … I myself will not be disqualified” (c.f. I Corinthians 9:26).
(c) Having said that, Paul also makes it clear in several of his other letters that we cannot do any of this in our own strength – that in order to keep our body under control (so that we remain morally pure), we must learn to rely on the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit11 – hence, Paul talks about “God giving His Holy Spirit to us” in verse eight (c.f. I Thessalonians 4:8).
In this regard, Paul told the Galatians that if they 16“walk(ed) by the Spirit, (they would) not carry out the desire(s) of the flesh … 19(like) immorality, impurity, (and) sensuality ... …” (c.f. Galatians 5:16-19) – while to the Romans he said that “the requirements of the Law will be fulfilled in us (including the laws related to moral purity), when we walk according to the Spirit, instead of trying to walk according to the flesh” (c.f. Romans 8:4).
And if we inquire as to exactly how we go about “walking by the power of the Holy Spirit”, a good place to start is by reading and studying God’s word, and then putting it into practice11 (c.f. James 1:22) – especially since it’s the Holy Spirit who is the Divine Author of Scripture (c.f. II Peter 1:20-21). Hence, Paul exhorted the Colossians to “let the word of Christ richly dwell within you …” (c.f. Colossians 3:16) – while the Psalmist said: 1“How blessed is the man who … 2… delight(s) … in the law of the Lord, and (who) meditates (on it) day and night” (c.f. Psalm 1:2) – and again: “How can a young man (or any person for that matter) keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word” – after which he adds: “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against You” (c.f. Psalm 119:9, 11, NIV).
The greatest deterrent to sexual immorality, along with the greatest incentive to pursue moral purity – indeed, the best way to rely on the indwelling power and presence of the Holy Spirit – is to read and study and digest and put God’s word into practice! Hence, the psalmist says in another place that, “it’s only by observing God’s precepts that our feet are restrained from every evil way” (c.f. Psalm 119:100-101).
(d) Continuing on, we find that another answer to the question of “how a Christian can be morally pure?”, is that we must not imitate the example of unbelievers.11 Look at verse five, where Paul goes on to say that: (4“each of us must learn how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor) 5NOT in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God” (c.f. I Thessalonians 4:5).
In Scripture, the term “Gentiles” is sometimes used to refer to those who are still lost in their sins – which is how it’s used here, since Paul says they “do not know God” (c.f. I Thessalonians 4:5). Hence, the point is that even though an uncontrollable desire for almost any form of sexual gratification is typical of many non-believers, it must NOT be typical of us Christians! On the contrary, we are to 12“lay aside the deeds of darkness and … 13… behave properly …” as becomes Christ’s redeemed people (c.f. Romans 13:12-13). We are to 22“lay aside the old self … with (all its) lusts … 24and put on the new self …” that reflects the likeness and holiness of God (c.f. Ephesians 4:22-24). We are to “lay aside every … sin (that) entangles us, (so we can) run with endurance (and success) the race that (has been) set before us” (c.f. Hebrews 12:1).
(e) As the mores of the culture spiral ever downward (pushing to greater depths of sin and depravity), by Christ’s enabling grace we Christians must maintain the biblical standards of sexual holiness required of us by our God and Savior. Which means that with the passing of time, the gap between us and our culture will become greater and greater – as will the temptation or pressure to follow in the footsteps of the society in which we live, if only by lowering our standards, while still keeping them a little higher than those of “the Gentiles” around us (c.f. I Thessalonians 4:5). Kind of like being sucked into a black hole – in that we may not be as far gone as others – but we’re all headed in the same direction, and toward the same disaster. Hence, we cannot follow the example of unbelievers (even from a distance) and still expect to maintain the high level of moral purity that God requires of His covenant people.
(f) If we are going to be successful in NOT following the example of the unbelieving world around us, then we must do all we can to avoid exposing ourselves (as well as our children and grandchildren) to the vast array of immoral images and temptations being generated by the ungodly society in which we live. John MacArthur notes that “even a small amount of exposure to these kinds of temptations lowers our resistance, thereby weakening our commitment to ‘abstain from every form of sexual immorality’ (c.f. I Thessalonians 4:3) – which in turn often leads us into patterns of thought and behavior that are completely contrary to our position in the body of Christ.”12
Hence, instead of telling us it’s okay to see how much exposure we can take without succumbing to some sinful act, Scripture exhorts us to “FLEE immorality” (c.f. I Corinthians 6:18) – and to “FLEE from youthful lust(s)” (as well as aged ones) (c.f. II Timothy 2:22) – and to “KEEP as far AWAY as possible from the adulterer who tries to entice us into sin with their flattering words” (c.f. Proverbs 7:5).
(3) The third question MacArthur proposes is: WHY Should A Believer Be Sexually Pure?13 – with the answer being found in verses six through eight (c.f. I Thessalonians 4:6-8). But, because we’re about out of time, we’re going to have to wait until next week to answer to that question, which has at least three parts to it.
Instead, I want to close with a word of grace and hope. (a) “Sexual immorality” (c.f. I Thessalonians 4:3), in any of its many forms, is an especially dangerous and hideous sin. Scripture says that even though it seems as sweet as honey in the beginning, its end is as bitter as wormwood (c.f. Proverbs 5:3-4) – though it seems to promise much, it ultimately leads to poverty, consuming both a person’s goods, while also destroying their body (c.f. Proverbs 5:10-11). What’s more, it incites God’s wrath, while also leading to other sins He finds equally offensive (c.f. Romans 1:18-32).
“Sexual immorality” (c.f. I Thessalonians 4:3), in any of its various forms, breaks the First Commandment, because it becomes more important to us than “God” Himself (c.f. Exodus 20:3) – it breaks the Second Commandment, because it becomes an “idol” we worship (c.f. Exodus 20:4-5) (thereby inviting God’s wrath) – it breaks the Seventh Commandment, because any form of immorality is also a form of “adultery” (c.f. Exodus 20:14) – it breaks the Eight Commandment because we are “stealing” something that doesn’t belong to us (c.f. Exodus 20:15) – it breaks the Ninth Commandment, because we are living a “lie” (c.f. Exodus 20:16) – and it breaks the Tenth Commandment, because we have “coveted” something that belongs to someone else (c.f. Exodus 20:17). (It probably breaks the other four commandments as well – I just haven’t figured out how.)
What I do know, is that no one has ever benefited spiritually from moral impurity – on the contrary, it inevitably destroys a person’s spiritual life. Nor has anyone ever benefited physically, or emotionally, or financially from immoral behavior (in the long run) – on the contrary, it ultimately robs a person of everything in life that was good, including their joy. It may not happen for many years – but it will (and it does) happen.
(b) Thankfully, however, “sexual immorality” (c.f. I Thessalonians 4:3) is not unforgivable. Thankfully, there is forgiveness and cleansing in and through Jesus Christ! For as great as such sins are, the grace and forgiveness of our Savior is even greater! Hence, when David confessed his sins of murder and adultery, the prophet Nathan assured him that “the Lord had taken away his sin, and that he would not die” (c.f. II Samuel 12:13) – so that, he later wrote: “(when) I acknowledged my sin to (the Lord) … (when I) confess(ed) my transgressions to (Him) … (He) forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah” (c.f. Psalm 32:5).
So, if we find ourselves plagued by the recollection of immoral acts committed in the past – or, if we are involved in some sort of “sexual immorality” right now (c.f. I Thessalonians 4:3) – then know that in Christ our Savior, there is complete cleansing and full forgiveness. Do as David did, and we will find the same mercy, and the same grace, and the same hope he found – so that later, in another psalm, he praised the Lord for being “gracious” to him – and for the “greatness of His compassion”, which “blotted out all his transgressions” (c.f. Psalm 51:1).
1http://www.wpcpca.org/Archive/05-09-10-am.html
2BCS: Strong’s Concordance: Word #37, 38, 40.
3MacArthur: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary;
1 & 2 Thessalonians; p. 104.
4IBID; p. 101.
5BCS: Strong’s Concordance; Word #4202.
6MacArthur: Ibid; p. 103.
7The Westminster Larger Catechism; Question #139.
8MacArthur: Ibid; p. 106.
9Calvin’s Commentaries; Vol. XXI; Commentary on the
First Epistle to the Thessalonians; p. 274.
10MacArthur: Ibid; p. 107.
11IBID; p. 108.
12IBID; p. 109.
13IBID; p. 110.