“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God.”
(1 Thess. 4:3-5)
The duty of every believer, every follower of Christ, is to submit to the will of God for us, which is our sanctification. Our responsibility to the God who saved us is to “know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor,” as our text describes. We are, after all, the temple of his Spirit, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Cor. 3:16). And Scripture leaves no doubt as to how God deals with those who profane his temple by setting up idols to themselves and worshipping at the feet of wickedness.
One of the most bone-chilling pronouncements on those who choose a life of covetousness and selfishness over holiness, sanctification, and service to the true God is found in Hosea 4:17, “Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone!” Idolators exchange the welfare and eternal destiny of their soul for earthly pleasures and possessions. Their chief end is to viciously pursue their own profits and purposes. They indulge in all manner of evil, pagan practices including adultery and fornication and other lust-driven indulgences (Eph. 4:19, Rom. 1). And as a result, God leaves them alone to wallow in the mire of their wickedness.
God is intensely more provoked and enraged by such depths of sinfulness than men might imagine. Jonathan Edwards said, “Such unclean people are the proper fuel of hell.”[1] God looks on nothing as more ready for the flames of hell than those who are awash in these evil, grossly sinful practices. We have no need to question God’s opinion on such matters, but simply turn our attention to the degree to which he poured out his wrath on Sodom and Gomorrah. These regions were torched with fire from heaven which completely incinerated everything and everyone inhabiting them for their blatant and grossly sinful practices.
As Christ’s representatives in the world we are to live holy. Christians bear the name of Christ and should, as a result, reflect his character. It behooves us, therefore, to pursue his will, his work of sanctification within us. Our life should make the patently clear statement that we love and live for the one true God. Though the mass of men choose covetousness, wickedness, carnality, adultery, fornication, addictions, and all other forms of selfish pursuits, may the redeemed and sanctified children of God be found standing firm and reverberating the claim of Joshua, “but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!” (Joshua 24:15).
Contemplations:
- Lord, being content with what I have, keep my attitude void of all covetousness that I might live before you meekly (Heb. 13:5).
- Help me glorify Christ by speaking with charity in all I do (Eph. 4:15) instead of spending my life in pursuit of covetous desires (Eccl. 8:30).
- I lift my hand O Lord to your commandments which I have loved, open my eyes and I shall understand, incline my heart and direct my steps and I shall walk in the path of your precepts (Psa. 119:48, 133).
- O Lord God, grant that I may know you as the true God, and that I may acknowledge you and no other, nor anything else beside you. Help me come to know you more, draw closer to you, and submit to your will to sanctify my heart and my life before you.
- Lord, grant that I may worship and adore you with my spirit (John 4:14), in the habits and mannerisms of my body (1 Cor. 14:40), and in the words of my mouth (James 3:9), both publicly and privately (1 Cor. 14:26).
- Help me Lord to overcome malice with goodness, possessing my vessel in holiness and honor before you (1 Thess. 4:4).
Further References for 1 Thess. 4:3-5:
Rom. 12:1; 1 Cor. 7:9; Phil. 4:8; 1 Thess. 3:13
[1] Jonathan Edwards, Ripe for Damnation: Sermons on the Book of Revelation, eBook, (Puritan Publications, 2015) Section, Cold nor Hot.
