"HOLINESS!"

1 Thessalonians 4:2-7                (ESV)
"2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
3 For this is the WILL of GOD, "your sanctification": that you abstain from sexual immorality;
4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in "HOLINESS" and honor,
5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know GOD;
6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.
7 For GOD has not called us for impurity, but in "HOLINESS"."


The study of "sanctification" has been on my heart for the past number of days.  In my research I have found numerous places where "sanctification" and "HOLINESS" are spoken of with the same meaning.  One commentary says "The Greek word translated "sanctification" (hagiasmos [aJgiasmov"]) means "holiness." To sanctify, therefore, means "to make holy."

So do we just wake up one morning and decide that we want to live better and everything falls into place?  Regrettably, that is not how GOD designed us.  For us to live PROGRAMMED lives would not bring glory to the Father, as we would have no choice in matters.  Having us struggle through the sanctification process is sometimes a humbling and  teaching operation.

We were created "in HIS image" (Genesis 1:27) and JESUS said in John 4:24 "GOD is a Spirit".  So GOD created us with a Spirit that lives within our bodies.  HE puts into our Spirits a desire to search for the things of HIM, "HOLINESS"!  That desire can either be squelched (resulting in bitterness and strife), or it can be nurtured and developed into a relationship with HIM.  Even the desire for "HOLINESS" comes from GOD HIMSELF (verse three), so there is nothing to boast about.

Verse 7 above says "For GOD has not called us for impurity, but in "HOLINESS"."  GOD knows we didn't have the capability for "impure" living.  We must rely on the GRACE from the perfect sacrifice from JESUS CHRIST.  The "HOLINESS" that Christ gave for our ransom is something we must strive for, but accept the fact we are flawed people depending on "HOLINESS" from HIM!