Over the past few months, our church has studied God’s names as listed in Scripture. Each of His names helps us understand His character. One of those names, in particular, points us to God being righteous and faithful. His name, YHWH (Jehovah), is His personal name which He revealed to Moses at the burning bush. If you do an in-depth study, you will find that this name shows God is righteous. As He is righteous, He also expects His people to be righteous. However, Jehovah is far different from the pagan false gods so many desire to worship. God is holy and demands righteousness, but knowing our hopeless and helpless sinful condition, He understood that we needed Someone to make us righteous before Him. Thus, God’s plan was to send His Son, the perfect Lamb of God, as a sacrifice for our sins so that we, through Christ’s blood, might be made righteous once again before Him.
“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)
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As we consider this week’s passage in 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8, I was reminded of all that is Jehovah. Nothing changes in the New Testament regarding God desiring that His people be righteous other than that Christ made it possible with His death, burial, and resurrection. In fact, the call to righteousness is even more significant in the New Testament due to all Christ has done. That is the essence of these two verses.
“For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 4:7–8)
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Here is another great passage from Romans to consider alongside these verses.
“Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.” (Romans 6:13–19)
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We could spend an enormous amount of time dissecting this passage. However, I want to draw your attention to this fact. As believers, we are no longer servants to sin. This does not mean that we are sinless or incapable of sin. Nevertheless, it does mean that we have the power to overcome sin within us. Therefore, because of God’s grace, we can “yield” ourselves as “servants to righteousness unto holiness.” Praise God that He has given us His Spirit to live within us.
Knowing this brings us back to our text. The Holy Spirit is again urging us, as believers, to live holy before the Lord. We are not called by God to live immorally. The word “uncleanness” means immorality or filth. It has the sense of living a dirty and impure life and is often related to sexual sin.
Today’s society is obsessed with sexual immorality. We see it everywhere, and it is promoted in everything. Yet, as followers of Christ, we are expected to rise above the sexual filth and dirt. Instead, we are to live unto holiness.
The word “holiness” is a synonym for sanctification. Progressive sanctification is spiritual growth. At salvation, God sanctifies us; He sets us apart as His own. Then, after salvation, He calls us to progressively grow in holiness by our personal dedication to Him as we become more distinct, devoted, and morally pure than unbelievers. As we do, then we become more efficient witnesses for Him. That is the idea in our text. Every day, we should desire to grow closer to Christ, allowing His Spirit to help us rise above the filthiness of this world. Willful obedience to His Word is how the Holy Spirit operates, helping us grow spiritually.
Note now verse 8 of our text.
“He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 4:8)
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Here we find a very logical conclusion from the Holy Spirit. Despising holiness in favor of immorality is not an act against men, but it is an act against God. God is the One who, by His grace, provided His Son as the means for our righteousness. Additionally, God calls His people to be holy even as He is holy. Furthermore, God placed His Spirit within us so that we might progressively grow in holiness and righteousness. Thus, any believer who engages in immorality, specifically sexual sins, rejects (despising) all God has done for them.
How does it then apply to us? First, we must realize that God greatly desires us to overcome the chains of immorality. He has called us to live holy. Indeed, due to His grace, we can overcome sin and live as servants of righteousness. Thus, the right thing for all believers is to pursue holiness by dedicating ourselves daily to humbly obey His Word. Second, as believers, the wrong thing for us is wallowing in the mire and filth of immoral and sexual sin. We need to outright refuse sinful lifestyles and not discard following God.
One of the great things about God is that He is a God of forgiveness. In fact, God gave us the promise that He would forgive our sins. If you are a believer engaged in sexual immorality, let me encourage you to seek God’s forgiveness and repent.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
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God will forgive you no matter how far or deep you have fallen into uncleanness. Thus, the first step back to holiness is seeking His forgiveness as you confess and repent your sin. Second, maintaining purity in your life is work. You must commit personally to following God with all your heart, soul, and mind. Commit to Him, read and study His Word, and create a plan to obey Scripture. Each day must be a day committed to righteousness and holiness. If you will, God’s Spirit will help you in your commitment to no longer be a servant of uncleanness and be a servant of righteousness.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need additional help or encouragement in this area of your life. God is good, and He desires more than anything that we live free from the bondage of sin.