Continuing our study
of 1st Thessalonians…
Scripture: 1st Thessalonians 4:1-8
Finally, brothers and sisters, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus that, as you learned from us how you ought to live and to please God (as, in fact, you are doing), you should 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 fornication; that each one of you know how to control your own body in holiness and honor, not with lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one wrong or exploit a brother or sister in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, just as we have already told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God did not call us to impurity but in holiness. Therefore whoever rejects this rejects not human authority but God, who also gives his Holy Spirit to you.
Thought for the Day: Maybe it’s just me, but I’m fascinated how my eyes quickly go to a word like fornication on the pages of the Bible. The word is no bigger than most of the other words. It does not flash or show up in neon ink, yet it stands out. I would suggest that this is caused, in part, by our uneasiness around sexual matters—especially as they relate to faith. I remember hearing a preacher say, “Sex is horrible, evil and disgusting! It should only be done with someone you love.” The minister may have thought he was helping us young people, but in fact, it only confused the matter.
The word we translate as fornication is Porneia in the original Greek. Though many have attempted to assign this word to all kinds of perceived evils, it is describing a married person having a sexual a relationship with a prostitute. This form of adultery is probably associated with temple cults. It was in these settings of idol worship that a person would honor the idols by having sex with a cult prostitute. Paul seemed to be concerned about ‘exploiting’ a brother or sister in this matter. The word ‘exploited’ appears also in 1st Corinthians associated again with fornication and idolatry (5:10-11).
Paul recognized just how damaging idol worship was, and it wasn’t because sex itself was horrible, evil or disgusting. It was because the act at the temple cult was damaging to the relationship a person had with God and his/her spouse. Also in the act, there was the the individual who had probably been forced into prostitution and was being exploited. Like so many sins, the initial act doesn’t seem all that bad. But the repercussions are often lasting and far-reaching. For that reason, Paul encouraged the people of Thessalonica to seek sanctifications, the process by which one “is freed from sin and enslaved to God” (Romans 6:22). Simply put, we are submitting ourselves to the way of God who is a respecter of relationships and is the One who would never exploit a human being.
Prayer: God of Grace, may I always see the potential implications of my actions, especially those that will be damaging to the relationships I have with you and others. Amen.
REMEMBER
Tomorrow–Sunday
One Service
10:30am
