"YOUR SANCTIFICATION!"

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8                                (ESV)
"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.
8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but GOD, WHO gives his HOLY SPIRIT to you."



How many times have you heard that "GOD will just have to forgive me for that"?  It's almost like we feel the grace of GOD operates similar to a credit card company that has a predetermined credit limit on us and we know how much that limit has remaining on it?  GOD's grace is immeasurable, but is not CHEAP!

When the Apostle Paul was writing to the church at Thessalonica he was inspired by GOD to say to them, AND ultimately to US, "For this is the will of GOD, "YOUR SANCTIFICATION"!!  Yes, he went on to write about sexual immorality, but we mustn't gloss over the words written in verse 7 above, "GOD HAS NOT CALLED US FOR IMPURITY, BUT IN HOLINESS".

GOD didn't sacrifice HIS only SON for me on Calvary's cross to have me recklessly trample HIS blood with my selfish desires.  We are to exhibit self control (Galatians 5:22-23), along with other fruit of the Spirit, as a testimony of our being redeemed by JESUS.   The Apostle Paul wrote in verse 8 that if we neglect to live in holiness, we are ultimately neglecting GOD!  GOD created us, so what gives us the right to disregard HIS precepts for our lives?

"YOUR SANCTIFICATION" should be what we all are concerned with.  The word SANCTIFICATION is defined as: set apart as sacred; consecrate, to purify or free from sin.  We should strive to SANCTIFY ourselves out of love for our LORD, not trying to be holier than thou in front of our acquaintances!  "YOUR SANCTIFICATION" doesn't mean you get credit for a brothers SANCTIFICATION.  Let's take care of "YOUR SANCTIFICATION" and let GOD take care of our brothers!!!