What does it mean to live a holy and blameless life? In his first inspired letter to the church at Thessalonica, the Apostle Paul points out that holiness starts with the heart. By this he does not mean our physical heart, but rather that part of our spiritual nature which includes our will and intentions. This is in perfect agreement with what Jesus said, “…That which proceeds out of the man, that defiles the man. For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts, covetings, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” (Mark 7:20-23) In the same way, if our hearts are pure it will have a corresponding effect on our actions and how we live our daily lives. In chapter 4, verses 1 through 8 Paul writes, “Finally then, brothers, we beg and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, that you abound 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 possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who don’t know God; that no one should take advantage of and wrong a brother or sister in this matter; because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified. For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification. Therefore he who rejects this doesn’t reject man, but God, who has also given his Holy Spirit to you.”
Paul writes that he instructed the followers of Christ at Thessalonica how to live in order to please God. This means that not all lifestyles are pleasing to God. These days many people have the idea that how one lives his life is not important. They claim that all lifestyles are equally valid. This is not so. We will either please God by the way we live, or we will not.
It is also evident from what Paul writes that people need to be taught what pleases God. In fact, this is one of the most important duties of church leaders. For example, Paul wrote to Timothy, “…be an example to those who believe, in word, in your way of life, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12) In another place Scripture says, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.” (James 3:13)
Paul also emphasizes that living to please God is not just a one time thing, but is something in which we should grow. As we learn more about God and what pleases Him, the more our thoughts and behavior should conform to His standards. It is also important to remember that the standards of behavior are the Lord’s and not merely made up by some man. Paul was not trying to impose his own code of morality on anyone. Instead he gave the instructions he did by the authority of Christ. When we reject what Paul has written here, we are not rejecting him, but rejecting Christ who gave the instructions through Paul.
How, then, does one live in order to please God? In answer to this question, Paul writes that it is God’s will that we be sanctified. The root meaning of the word Paul uses is ‘set apart.’ In other words, someone who is sanctified has been set apart for God’s use. He should avoid anything which would dishonor God.
The example Paul gives in order to illustrate this point is that of sexual immorality. This was a problem in that day, just as it is in ours. He lists four reasons why a follower of Christ should abstain from sexual sin. The first is that those who do not know God indulge their lusts this way. The Apostle Peter expresses it this way, “For we have spent enough of our past time doing the desire of the Gentiles, and having walked in lewdness, lusts, drunken binges, orgies, carousings, and abominable idolatries.” (1 Peter 4:3) In contrast to the behavior of unbelievers, Paul writes that the follower of Christ is to control himself. He will repeat this instruction in chapter 5, verse 8. In the letter to the Galatians, self-control is listed as one of the fruits of God’s Holy Spirit. It follows, then, that if a person does not have self-control, God’s Spirit is not in him.
A second reason to avoid sexual sin is that it wrongs or defrauds fellow believers. This could take several forms. Even if it does not actively involve another believer, this kind of sin still causes damage. For example, if we commit sin in secret we are living a lie which, when found out, could weaken the faith of those who observe our inconsistency. On the other hand, if we sin openly we set a wrong example. In chapter 3, verse 12, Paul had already prayed that the love the followers of Christ in Thessalonica had for each other would increase. Sexual immorality can only destroy love, not cause it to increase.
A third reason to abstain from sexual immorality and the wrong which it causes, is that God will punish those who commit it. Fear of punishment is not the highest of motives for abstaining from sin. As already noted, love should be the motivation for not sinning. It is better to abstain because of fear, however, than to not abstain at all.
The fourth reason to avoid sexual impurity is that God has called us to live holy lives. God is holy. If we want to be pleasing to Him; if we desire to one day live with God in heaven, then we too need to be holy. The Apostle Peter writes, “but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy; for I am holy.”” (1 Peter 1:15-16)
What is the consequence of rejecting the instruction about holy living which Paul has given? He makes it clear that to reject the teaching is really to reject God. The teaching is not something which Paul made up and is trying to force on people. The instruction really comes from God. Paul’s authority to teach it came from Jesus Christ. In view of this, all of us who claim to follow Christ must make a decision. Will we obey the instruction to avoid sexual impurity and live holy lives, or will we reject God?