God’s Call to Holiness
Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 1 Thessalonians 4:1-10. Paul exhorted the Thessalonians to follow his example of how they should walk before God. Paul reminds them of the commandments which he taught them. Does it make you wonder why Paul is reminding them about what they were taught?
Paul was happy the Thessalonians continued to serve the Lord after he left. He wanted them to continue to grow in the Lord. As long as we live, it is a continual process of learning and growing to become more like God in our actions by showing love for others, and in our lives by living in a holy manner. We won’t obtain perfection this side of eternity. It’s a continuous journey.
He tells the Thessalonians it is God’s will that they abstain from fornication. Obviously, there was a problem with this since Paul brought it up. He reminds them that they should keep their bodies sanctified and honorable before God. Paul tells them that they’re not to follow the examples of the Gentiles who don’t know God. As Christians, we’re not to live like the rest of the world; those who don’t know God. We should strive to live clean and holy lives before God.
This Scripture tells us that when we commit fornication, not only do we sin against God, we also sin against our own body. First Corinthians 6:18-20, “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
In Leviticus 18, God explains explicitly that the nakedness of a person is only for their spouse. Our nakedness isn’t to be shared with anyone else, nor should it be taken by anyone else. Why do you think this was so important to God? Why is this sin so prevalent in our world today? Why don’t we value God’s ways of doing things? Is it because of the sin in our lives?
Paul reminds them that they’re not to take advantage of one another. He tells them God is the one who will make right the wrongs. Paul reminds them that God didn’t call us to be unclean vessels, but to be holy. He tells them if they despise their brother, it isn’t their brother they despise, but God, who gave us His Holy Spirit.
Paul tells them that they don’t need him to write to them concerning brotherly love because they’ve been taught to love one another by God. Even though they’re good at showing brotherly love toward others, Paul encourages them to increase in their love even more.
Daily Bible Reading:
1 Thessalonians 4:1-10
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.
2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
6 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.
7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
10 And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;
Things to think about:
- What is Paul’s concern for the Thessalonians in this Scripture?
- How can we use this Scripture in our own lives?
- How is God leading you to His holiness?
- What are some ways that we can show love to fellow believers?
Prayer of the Day:
Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank You for this Scripture in the book of 1 Thessalonians. In reading Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians we realize how we all fall short of living up to Your standards. Please forgive us as a nation, as Your children, and as individuals. Help us to learn to live more godly lives. Help us to love one another in the way You intended us to. Help us to honor our bodies as Your holy temple. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Daily Bible Verse:
Featured Book:
The Book of 1 Thessalonians: Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians
by Deborah H. Bateman
The Book of 1 Thessalonians: Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians is a Daily Bible Reading Study of the book of 1 Thessalonians by Deborah H. Bateman. The Book of 1 Thessalonians is from the New Testament of the Bible. It’s a letter from Paul, Silas, and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians.
Paul established the church of Thessalonica on his second missionary journey. It was known throughout the land that the Thessalonians had great faith in God and in the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul loved the Thessalonians. He had a great concern for the Thessalonians and desired to see them again. But, since Paul couldn’t go see them he sent Timothy to encourage them in the faith.
The Book of 1 Thessalonians: Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians contains eight Bible lessons which can be used for personal of group Bible studies. Each lesson contains a brief commentary by the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, several questions for contemplation or discussion, and a prayer to go along with the lesson. Our desire is that this book will help you to have a better understanding of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians.
For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.
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Deborah
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