Scripture

God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin.

Observation

Paul encourages the Thessalonians to continue living lives that please God. it is God’s will for us to be holy, avoiding all sexual sin.

We need to learn to control our own bodies and not give in to lustful passions like the pagans do. We should not cheat a christian brother by violating his wife.

God wants us to live holy lives, not impure lives.

Application

Holiness is not the same as sexual Purity. But in hypersexualised cultures such as those of the Roman Empire and our current western culture, sexual purity is a big deal.

God wants us to be holy. We are set apart for God’s purposes. Anything that violates God’s will for our lives is to be avoided – whether that is immorality, greed, or drunkenness.

We are not saved for the sake of being saved. We are saved to be holy. This life is a preparation for the next life, so christians need to see themselves as being moulded for eternity.

The christian sexual ethic is simple to state – sexual relationships are only for a man and a woman in a permanent marriage.

If we fall, there is grace. Stating a goal does not condemn those who fall short.

Having said this, we must not settle for the world’s “anything goes” approach to sexuality.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, please give me the grace to live by your standard in all aspects of my life. Amen.