1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Paul moves to address three areas of a Christian’s Life: sexual purity, brotherly love, and daily living. The first to be covered, in verses 1-8, is the place where the Christian ethic is most radically contrasted to the pagan or sinful world. Every form of sexual vice and misbehavior was common practice in the ancient world. Thessalonica, being a seaport, was no different and in some cases may have been worse. Women and children having little legal standing, education, or options were generally the victims of sexual exploitation. In the ancient world immorality was the norm and it was expected to remain that way.  Anything else would have seemed abnormal.

But not so among believers! In verse 2 there is a commandment for purity. The word “commandment” is a military term. Purity is not a suggestion or an option for believers, it is the absolute authoritative command of God, which must be obeyed! Verses 4 and 5 are absolutely fascinating. Paul here addresses courtship, marriage, and purity for those who are in positions of power. In the ancient world it was common for men, especially powerful men, to exploit women for their own satisfaction; sadly, many still do. Paul said something very different was to be the norm for the Christian. The word “vessel” may refer to a man's own body or it may refer to that of his fiancé or wife. Our sexuality is about sanctification and honor, or holiness and respect, not sexual passionate satisfaction for ourselves.  A man is a sexual being so that he can honor and respect his wife and vice versa. Do not miss the point; the reason we are sexual beings is so that we can confer honor. Our sexuality is not primarily about ourselves but about bringing honor and respect to our spouse or fiancé. Any act that dishonors is strictly forbidden. This is more than “do not have sex outside of marriage”, although that is certainly a part; this is the whole of human sexuality. This pure sex life is more than just what happens in a sexual encounter; it is part and parcel of our whole life before God and the watching world. In a world that is completely given over to sexual license God wants, expects and commands His people to be radically different.

Sexual license in the life of a believer is no longer about flaunting societal norms or conventions or expressing individuality. We must always remember that sexual license is defiance of God. This is not the message to the lost world, but that message to the Christian community. When the believer is sexually promiscuous, they are exposing themselves to God's judgment. That may be in this life, or in the life to come. The question is not, “Will we be judged and punished for our sexual license?” The question is when will we have to pay the price? 

“Lord, help me to honor You and my loved ones in my sexuality. AMEN”