This post has been long in the making, mainly because of my apathy. However, a good while ago I was inspired to write on this topic in response to personal conviction, disgust, and a Biblically-based conviction for all believers. Namely, I believe that it is crucial for the believer to radically pursue purity because it is our Scriptural mandate, our spiritual worship, and solemn responsibility.
I will start with and base my thoughts on 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8.
“Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God..” (ESV, vs 1-5)
In the lives of young Christian men and women, the question “What is God’s will in my life?” is one that notoriously frequents the stage, but often exits unanswered. In this case, it is a relief to see God’s will for the believer so adamantly proclaimed: our sanctification is the will of God.
In this matter then, we are without excuse. We who claim Christ have been changed; we are a new creation. “The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Cor 5:17b What’s more, we are called to be renewed in the spirit of our minds, putting on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. (Eph4:23-24) We do this because of Christ, for His death and resurrection has liberated us, and by His power we are strengthened and propelled to continue in this renewing process. We are called to sanctification. And in regards to 1 Thessalonians 4, we are called to be sanctified in terms of purity: that we abstain from sexual immorality. This call to purity requires radical action, which Lord willing I will cover in Part 2. In this first part I wish to cover 3 main points concerning our sanctification.
1. Our Scriptural Mandate
Our Scriptural mandate is clear from 1 Thess 4 alone, but this issue is embellished throughout the Bible, especially in Ephesians 4-5. As Christians saved by grace, we are exhorted to walk in a manner worthy of our calling by…
4:29 keeping corrupting talk from our mouths, speaking only to build up and to give grace.
5:3 not naming sexual immorality and all impurity unnamed.
5:4 abstaining from filthiness, foolish talk, and crude joking.
5:8b walking as children of light, abstaining from the unfruitful works of darkness.
2. Our Spiritual Worship
^ These verses provide the need for radical change in our lives, undoubtedly requiring vigorous labor on our parts. But this is not a begrudging task, nor should it be pursued for the wrong motives. Scripture also states in Romans 12 that the purpose for radical change is for our spiritual worship.
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (vs 1-2)
Transformation by the renewal or our minds is vitally linked with the worshipful presentation of our bodies as living sacrifices to God. The pursuit and preservation of purity is a part of our sanctification process, and it should be approached as a means of worshiping God as holy, living sacrifices.
3. Our Solemn Responsibility
It is our solemn responsibility to pursue purity in our sanctification because it is God’s will for us. Occasionally we will stumble and fall, and God will be faithful and just to forgive us, (1 Jn 1:9) but this will always be the goal. To consciously indulge ourselves in this area is a solemn offense for two main reasons.
In doing so, we disregard God. Continuing in 1 Thess. 4:6-8 , the will of God is our sanctification:… “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. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.”
In doing so, we spurn Christ’s sacrifice.
“And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, He has now reconciled in His body of flesh by His death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before Him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard..” Colossians 1:21-23
We have been reconciled for the purpose of our sanctification (indeed our glorification) in Christ, and we must continue in our faith undaunted by the world. To willingly stray from this cause would be to spurn Christ and betray our reason for spiritual existence.
Thus Scripture is clear that the pursuit of purity and sanctification is the command and will of God. But it can’t end with head-knowledge; it must be practically applied, and radically so. Yea, violently so. Hence, by God’s grace, part 2.
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