1 Thessalonians 4:1

Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more... 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 honour; not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God... For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. (1 Thessalonians 4:1-10)

God's revealed will for every believer is sanctification—lived out concretely in a life of sexual purity in a culture that has abandoned it.

The King's Code of Conduct

On August 17, 1955, President Eisenhower signed Executive Order 10631, establishing the U.S. military code of conduct. It outlined the basic responsibilities and obligations of service members, who were expected to measure up to its standards—especially in combat or captivity. The preamble stated that each member would be provided specific training and instruction to equip him to withstand the enemy and to know the behavior expected of him.

Christians also have what we might call the King's code of conduct. We are expected to live in a manner that honors and glorifies our King and His kingdom. As we've studied through Acts and the apostolic letters, it's clear the early Christian leaders taught and equipped believers to do exactly that.

One of the most common complaints hurled against the church today is that it's full of hypocrites. I wonder if such criticism doesn't fly precisely because Christians have not been provided with the specific training and instruction to stand and behave rightly in this world. Passages like 1 Thessalonians 4 come to mind as the Christian code of conduct.

A Transition, Not a Conclusion

The King James Version begins with "furthermore," while other translations render it "finally." Since there are still two chapters left, you wonder—is this really a conclusion? We ought not to read this as a conclusion but as a transition. Paul is now moving into his practical exhortations for the church at Thessalonica.

Chapter 1 encouraged the church about all the great things happening there. Chapter 2 defended Paul's ministry against his accusers. Chapter 3 encouraged a body facing tribulation. But now he speaks to a church facing the flesh, challenging them to live differently. "We beseech you, brethren, and exhort you"—we beg, plead, and call you to live as you ought to live, in a way that pleases and delights our Lord, that brings glory to His name, and that causes the people of this world to glorify our Father in heaven, just as Jesus said in Matthew 5:16.

Why Should We Please God?

As I meditated on this, I asked: why should we please God? First, we've been chosen by Him to serve and please Him. In 2 Timothy 2:3-4 Paul tells Timothy to endure hardship as a good soldier, not entangling himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please Him who has chosen him to be a soldier. God has chosen us to please Him.

Second, we've been redeemed by Him. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Paul says your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit; you are not your own, for you are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and spirit, which are God's.

Third, we are created to please Him. The women's Bible study is going through the book Pleasing God, built upon Revelation 4:11: "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." The very reason God made us is that we would bring Him pleasure.

How Shall We Please God?

Hebrews 11:5-6 says Enoch had the testimony that he pleased God, and then adds, "without faith it is impossible to please him." The first thing we must understand is that the only way to please God is to trust and believe upon Him.

From there, Scripture shows God has given us sacrifices that bring Him pleasure. Hebrews 13:15-16 names two. First, the sacrifice of praise—the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name. Every service here begins with worship, and that's not a time filler; it truly is an opportunity to please God. Why call it a sacrifice? Because there are days we don't want to sing, songs we don't like—yet we offer praise continually. And if you say you don't have a voice, that's why the psalms say make a joyful noise unto the Lord.

Second, "to do good and to communicate forget not"—giving to those in need. In this season of financial hardship, giving to the Lord's work may be more of a sacrifice than it was two or three years ago, but it is well pleasing to God. Micah 6:8 says do justly, love mercy, walk humbly. Psalm 147:11 says the Lord takes pleasure in those that fear Him. And Philippians 2:13—one of my favorite verses—says "it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." When you desire to serve God by serving others, that desire was placed in you by God, because in our flesh we are self-serving.

Abound More and More

Paul exhorts them to abound more and more. The Thessalonians were already walking to please God—there was a testimony about them throughout Macedonia—yet Paul wanted them to keep growing and flourishing. From this we learn that no Christian has attained perfection. Even Paul said in Philippians 3 that he had not been perfected but pressed on.

When we hear "perfection," we go to sinless perfection, which none of us will attain on earth. But the New Testament idea is more about maturity and completeness. There's always room for improvement—every one of us could wear a shirt that says "under construction, expect delays." Yet even in our present state, we are pleasing to God. Isn't it great to know the Lord is pleased with our success through faith and patient with our failures, desiring that we press on toward maturity?

This Is the Will of God

"For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus." Paul's exhortation came from God. He wanted the Thessalonians to receive his instruction not as the mere words of men but as the words of God—just as he commended them in chapter 2:13 for receiving the gospel as from God. The message he's about to give is a heavy one, a charge to a church living in a Gentile and heathen world.

"For this is the will of God, even your sanctification." One of the most discussed topics among young believers is the will of God for their lives. Every youth pastor and Bible college teacher hears it constantly: "What is God's will for me?" It's an extremely important topic, because we were created to please God and want to live within His will.

But I don't believe God's will is so difficult to figure out. God wants us to walk in His will, so He's not going to hide it. People often treat it as obscure and ambiguous—something you reach only after climbing a high mountain, reading the whole Bible, or fasting forty days. Yet God clearly reveals in His Word what He generally wants all believers to do. As we obey what He has revealed, He reveals the details of what He wants to do through our lives. Does God want you to be a missionary? Yes—He has called all of us to go and make disciples. I have a hard enough time fulfilling what He has plainly revealed.

Sanctification: Purification

The word translated "sanctification" can also be rendered "holiness," and it carries two direct meanings. The first is purification. God desires to cleanse us so that we are pure and blameless. How does He do this?

First—and we don't like this one—by the testing of our faith. Romans 5:3 says tribulation produces patience; James 1 says the testing of your faith produces patience; 1 Peter 1:7 says the trial of your faith, more precious than gold, though tried with fire, will be found unto praise and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

Second, by the washing of the water by the Word. Ephesians 5:25-26 says Christ sanctifies and cleanses the church by the washing of water by the Word. Romans 12:1-2 calls us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Jesus prayed in John 17:17, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." And this is not new—Ezekiel 36:25-26 says, "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you... a new heart also will I give you."

Third, by our determined effort. In 2 Corinthians 7:1 Paul says, "having therefore these promises... let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." Isaiah 1:16 says, "Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings." Peter says we have purified our souls in obeying the truth (1 Peter 1:22) and exhorts us to abstain from fleshly lusts (2 Peter 2:11). John says everyone who has the hope of heaven purifies himself even as God is pure (1 John 3:3). Thankfully, as Philippians 2:12-13 reminds us, while we work out our salvation with fear and trembling, it is God who works in us both to will and to do His good pleasure.

Sanctification: Consecration

The second meaning is consecration—being set apart for God's use, purpose, and pleasure alone. As Paul told Timothy, in a house there are vessels of honor and dishonor. In my house, the dog's bowl is a vessel of dishonor; I would never use it for my morning Cheerios, because it is consecrated, set apart for that use only. God has called us to be consecrated, set apart for Him alone.

In 2 Corinthians 6:17 Paul quotes Isaiah: "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you." Psalm 1 describes the same kind of person—blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful, but delights in the law of the Lord. That is a consecrated person, holy and completely committed to God.

What Holiness Looks Like: Abstaining from Fornication

What does it look like practically to be purified and consecrated? Paul says those who are sanctified are to "abstain from fornication." The KJV says "fornication," the NKJV "sexual immorality." First-century Roman culture was marked by sexual immorality; the ideas of chastity and sexual purity were almost unknown virtues. Nevertheless, Paul says Christians take their standards from God, not from the culture.

In our own day, many within the church are swayed more by culture than the Word. Last year a Lutheran body in the Midwest determined to ordain openly homosexual pastors—a move in line with our culture but not with God's Word. We are to take our cues from God.

The Greek word translated "fornication" has a broad definition, including every kind of unlawful sexual behavior, experience, and expression—even reaching to our thoughts and fantasies. What is lawful and unlawful? God created sex, and He has given us the bounds for its proper use. Anything outside those bounds is sexual immorality.

When you buy a digital camera, it comes with a book on its proper use. Ignore it and take the camera into the pool, or use it as a hammer, and it won't work. We have no problem being governed by the maker's instructions for our equipment—yet when God, who made us, gives His standard, the world calls it archaic. Imagine what society would be like if we actually followed it.

The Lawful Place of Sex

Hebrews 13:4 tells us: "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." God created sex for pleasure and intended it to take place only within the marriage of one man and one woman. Anything consensually done within the context of marriage between one man and one woman is right before God.

Sex is a good and wonderful thing in its proper place—but just like fire, it belongs in the fireplace. Fire in the living room is not so good. Those who play at sex outside of marriage get burned, and I guarantee many of you know this to be the case. Satan has a subtle strategy: he encourages sex outside of marriage and discourages it within marriage, and many have succumbed.

Perhaps you say, "I didn't know this is what the Bible taught; I haven't been living this way." Neither did the Thessalonians, until Paul wrote to them. But now you know, and as part of the sanctifying process, we obey what we now know, committing ourselves to purification and consecration.

Possessing Your Vessel in Honor

"That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God." Notice "every one"—this commandment is not just for the young, not just for a purity conference, not just for the unmarried. Every Christian ought to know how to possess his or her body in a sanctified, honorable way.

This was completely contrary to the Greco-Roman mindset, just as it is in ours. The idea that sex is only for marriage and that abstinence is to be practiced until marriage is foolishness to the secular world. When there was a push for abstinence education, many said it was stupid because "we all know they're going to have sex." But if we actually set forth God's standard and warned that going outside it brings consequences, we might be surprised. No believer immediately knows how to possess their body honorably, but the implication is that we are to learn to do so.

"Not in the lust of concupiscence." That old word "concupiscence" comes from a Latin word meaning to long for or be intensely desirous of—it's entirely in the mind and heart. The enemy constantly bombards us, especially in the area of our thoughts. Sometimes people think, "I might as well give in; God made me this way," or, "It's just my fantasy life; nobody knows, it doesn't affect anybody else."

If that line of thinking creeps in, recognize it as a snare of the enemy. It is dangerous because God sees and knows your thoughts, and we will one day give account for every thought, word, and deed. Lust that leads to a secret fantasy life is just as sinful as the physical act of adultery. Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount that whoever looks upon a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. And your hidden sin affects the whole body, just as Achan's sin affected Israel (Joshua 7) and as a little leaven leavens the whole lump.

Knowing God Transforms Behavior

To live a life of lustful passion is the mark of one who does not know God. This verse implies that knowing God transforms our behavior—the way we think, act, and talk. In light of the great salvation God has given, we must change our behavior. The holiness of God moves us to at least be willing to make a concerted effort to no longer walk as the rest of this world walks.

God Will Judge

Paul continues: "That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness." Notice he says, "we forewarned you." Paul was in Thessalonica only about three to four weeks, yet in that short time he had already taught these new believers to live in a sanctified way, because God's judgment comes upon those who do not.

Many pastors today refuse to speak about the judgment, justice, and wrath of God—those are tough subjects, and nobody wants to hear about sin, repentance, and judgment. But by avoiding them, those pastors fail to reveal the whole counsel and full character of God, who by no means clears the guilty. James 3 warns that not many should become teachers, for they shall receive stricter judgment. You may wonder why I'm so direct today—because the Word says so, and I will stand before God one day, and I want Him to be pleased with the message.

Deficient teaching produces deficient disciples who serve a God who is not the God of the Bible. They say, "My God is loving"—and He is—and "My God is forgiving"—and He is—but then, "My God doesn't care that I sleep with my girlfriend, or look at things on the internet." That is not true. It breaks the heart of God and hinders the movement of the church. Why is the church lacking power today? I would say this is one of the biggest issues.

"He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God." If you reject these exhortations, you reject God and make yourself His enemy—and verse 7 reminds us He will avenge Himself of His enemies.

The Way of Love

"As touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another." The Greek word is Philadelphia—brotherly love—yet God has taught us to agape one another. Many today say, "What's wrong with this relationship? I love her." That may be brotherly love at most, but more likely it's eros, lust. Agape love, the love God instructs us to have, is not self-seeking but self-sacrificing.

He continues: "Increase more and more; and that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands... that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing." Sexual immorality robs—it robs God of glory. An unmarried couple sleeping together robs each other and their future spouses; a person in an adulterous affair robs their spouse and children. It defrauds them, and God will avenge.

Five Reasons for Sexual Purity

In this challenging passage, Paul calls the church—living among a people who totally disregard God's law—to live in sexual purity. Why? First, this is pleasing to God (verse 1). Second, this is the will of God (verse 3). Third, this is honoring to God (verse 4). Fourth, this is the call of God (verse 7). Fifth, this is the way of love (verse 9).

If all those positive reasons are not enough, verse 6 adds that God will judge. Paul told the Corinthians—of a wicked, vile city—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Are you saying I can lose my salvation? No. I'm saying that if a person lives a life of practicing sexual immorality without repentance, I question whether they are actually saved.

I know that's heavy. Let God be true and let His Word be exalted, for He has exalted His Word above His name. He has called us to live differently than the rest of this world, that we would glorify Him. So these are the questions to keep in mind: would this action, this word, this thought glorify the Lord if He were sitting right here—because He is? Or, in a totally different context: if your spouse was watching you, would you do it?

Closing Prayer

Father, I thank You that this is Your Word and not mine—not the opinion of men but the Word of the Creator, the One who created us, created our bodies, created sex. Lord, You have given us such an intense desire that we could offer it back to You as an acceptable sacrifice until the day You give it back to us in marriage. You did not tell us to abstain from food or water until marriage—we couldn't live like that—but You have called us to abstain from sexual interaction until marriage, and we certainly can offer that to You. Strengthen each of us, Lord, not just in our actions but in our minds and hearts. Shine brightly through Your church as You sanctify and purify us, that we would be a bright, shining representation of You here in this world. We pray this in Jesus' name, and all God's people agreed, saying, Amen.