Purity

This is part of an e-mail I got from my mom, who was studing 1 Thesselonians. She was struck by the emphasis of purity in the book...and she e-mailed me this because she feels these concepts are much needed among people our age...I hope you are spurred on toward holiness by it!


"I have been studying 1 Thess. and have been struck with the richness of the teaching on purity is found in 1 Thess 4:1-8:

· purity is expected—it is how we “ought to live”; as you are doing (v. 1); “keep on abstaining” (v. 3)

· purity is pleasing to God (v. 1)

· we should be increasing in purity (v. 1)

· instruction is needed (v. 2)

· purity is a part of our sanctification and is the will of God (v. 3)

· purity means controlling our own bodies (v. 4)—in holiness in honor

· purity (controlling our bodies) is a mark of a Christian; not controlling our lusts is the mark of an unbeliever (v. 5)

· immorality is sinning against another (v. 6)

· the Lord avenges immorality (wronging a brother) –(v. 6)

· scripture solemnly warns against immorality (v. 6)

· we are called to holiness not to impurity (v. 7)

· disregarding God’s commands concerning purity is disregarding God (v. 8)—this is not a man made standard but an expectation of God

· the Holy Spirit is given to the believer to help the believer increase in purity (v. 8)

· the passage indicates the understanding that there are temptations to impurity but they must be resisted and can be resisted



The bottom line is that purity is not only commanded but also enabled by the Lord; impurity is a serious disregard for God which God will avenge and may be an indication of an unregenerate heart. Strong words from Paul—a single man who undoubtly faced much temptation but found power through the Holy Spirit to increase in purity..."
-Contributed by Sally Michael

I hope this was helpful to you...thanks for taking the time to read it! Kate and I are home alone at the moment (Bri is visiting friends that are here from Israel--maybe I can convince her to post some pictures! and Easten is visiting at home in Chicago). We have spent the evening playing with Ruth, doing laundry, discussing life....all the good stuff. : ) I hope you all had a lovely day full of the love of Christ--keep hoping in Him!

love kristi