1Th 4:3 | KingComments | STEP | The subjects that Paul deals with in this chapter are connected with three keywords at the end of the previous chapter: holiness, love and the coming. In this chapter Paul speaks about holiness , here called sanctification in , in about love and in about the coming of the Lord Jesus . So, in it is about sanctification and in particular regarding marriage. Sanctification is in relation with the triune God. In this section you read about the Lord Jesus, about God and about the Holy Spirit. They are the source that lead to a true life of sanctification. Sanctification is not negative, as if it is only about things that you are not to be doing. It is about what is consecrated to God. That is only possible, since sin is in the world, by consecrating it from what is not consecrated to God. . The section begins with “finally”, which indicates that there is something more added to the letter. The main elements of the faith life have been dealt with, but there are still some things that are also useful for their faith life. It regards the dangers that threatened the Thessalonians as a result of their former habits. The people around them were still living in a way that was fully in contradiction to the heavenly and holy joy that he has spoken about. Like more often, Paul addresses them with “brethren”, in order to emphasize his relationship with them and their relationship with one another. In this way he clearly makes them feel that he is one of them. That creates the right sphere for what he wants to “request and exhort”. In order to make it easier for them to heed his exhortation, he points to the Lord Jesus. In Him his exhortation finds its origin and in Him they find the strength to take heed of his exhortation. In the word ‘request’ confidentiality resonates. He requests something from believers of whom he knows that they are really willing to respond. In the word ‘exhort’, something of his fatherly authority is expressed. With his requesting and exhorting he continues with what he already told them earlier about their walk and the pleasing of God. They not only heard that, but they also received it. “To walk” and “please God” belong together. You also read of Enoch that he “walked with God” ( ) and in that way “was pleasing to” Him ( ). Here you see how strongly ‘walk’ and ‘please God’ are related to one another. Hebrew 11:5 is a quotation of Genesis 5:24, but from the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament. What is written in Genesis 5:24 “walked with God” is translated there with “pleasing to God”. The combination ‘walk’ and ‘please God’ is all right with the Thessalonians. The words “just as you actually do walk” are an addition that keeps the Thessalonians from discouragements which could have possibly arisen. Paul wants to prevent that they become sad because of his remark, which could make them consider it as if they did not bother about his serious instructions. Nevertheless they still could possibly increase in their walk with God and pleasing Him and therefore Paul exhorts them. It is dangerous to think that it is all right with you. You want to live with and for the Lord and therefore let yourself be guided by God’s Word and God’s Spirit. You can honestly admit that you do not know what you will still have to confess as a sin. There is nothing wrong with that. Except that it may possibly cause you a feeling of satisfaction, of contentment. Such a feeling may gradually take hold of you, without your realizing it. If you compare your life to that of the Lord, it appears that there is a lot more to increase in. You certainly do not want to claim that you are an accomplished believer in dedication and dependence, do you? Have you ever experienced a situation in which you feel completely powerless? I think you do. It is about spiritual growth, to grow in holiness. As long as you are on earth the process of growing goes on. This growing process only takes place when you absorb God’s Word as your daily food ( ) and obey it. You yourself will decrease more and more and the Lord Jesus will increase ( ). If you do not feed yourself daily with God’s Word, the old habits will again get foothold. That’s what Paul is warning for. It is also important for you to take that warning to heart. . Paul reminds them of the commandments he had given them. It was not just a personal wish or a friendly request. In that way he fulfilled the will of the Lord. The Lord Jesus is the authority behind his commandments. He wants the believers to please God in their walk. In order to fulfill that, every relationship that a believer begins in his life, should happen in sanctification and love. Here you find it focused on sanctification in marriage and brotherly love. . When we talk about sanctification, we talk about the will of God. If you bow to God’s will, if you acknowledge His will as authority in your life, you will abstain from sexual immorality or fornication. Fornication is a brutal attack on marriage. Fornication – the Greek word is porneia , from which the word ‘pornography’ known to us, is derived – is unlawful sexual intercourse, both before and outside marriage. Fornication in marriage is also called adultery. In the time of Paul, sexual impureness had such a fixed place in the Greek and Roman life that apparently nobody considered it an awful sin against God and the neighbor. It was part of their ritual religion, like it still is in some parts of the pagan world. Sexual immorality is condemned in many places in the Bible. Whoever does not bother about that, will be judged by God ( ). That it is not considered an awful sin anymore applies also to the Western world, which once was Christian. Whether you’re married or not, you live in a society wherein marriage is incredibly being destroyed. It is not on a slippery slope anymore, but it is thrown from the steepness into the abyss. Sexual morality is declining rapidly. There is almost no movie without sexually titillating scenes. Commercials are full of it. And the enormous waves of filthiness that are being offered via internet have no end, both regarding the quantity and the horrendous content. In the light of the developments in our country, this word to the Thessalonians becomes increasingly topical to us. Putting this word about the sanctification of marriage high on the agenda of life standards is by no means a superfluous luxury. The Thessalonians have been freed from this lifestyle, but were surrounded by men who were still living according to the lifestyle. The chance to fall back on an old pattern always remains. In order to prevent that, strong actions are to be taken. It is said that they are to abstain from fornication. That is their responsibility and that goes also for you. An appeal is made on your self-control. Do you feel the urge rising to read sex books or to go ‘online’ and search for porn sites? Don’t give in to it – fill your mind immediately with something of the Lord Jesus. Quote some texts from God’s Word. It doesn’t matter which one. Make sure that you have a number of them in store. Remember that you are subjected to the commands that are given here by the Lord Jesus. God wants your sanctification. He wants you for Himself. In case you’ve gone too far already and have been entangled in it, search for help. Don’t wait too long to do that. Come up with it. Go to someone whom you trust and speak out about it. Confess your sins together with your confidant and make arrangements that help you to get rid of this addiction. Above all things, read God’s Word, for the truth will set you free ( ). Now read 1 Thessalonians 4:1-3 again. Reflection: Look up the following Bible verses and take them into your heart, so that you may use them as a defense for your sanctification: ; .