1 Thessalonians 4:1 "You ought to walk and to please God."

We can please God through our Lord Jesus, in the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 4:2 "For you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus".

Note that the teaching had not only been given by authority of the Lord Jesus, but by means of the Lord Jesus. The teaching gave commandments whose origin was in the Lord Jesus, and were ministered through the Lord Jesus. The commandments of the good news are the commandments of the Lord Jesus. We are to be committed to the Christlike, Father-pleasing life of obedience. Knowledge implies responsibility "for you know." Much is given you - therefore much is required.

1 Thessalonians 4:3 "For this is the will of God, your sanctification."

God's will for His people is a clean, pure, separated life unto God (1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Corinthians 7:1 ). A holy God gave His holy Child to an awful death, to meet the demands of a holy law, that the redeemed might, in the power of the risen Lord, live holy lives.

The pleasing walk is a pure walk. A pure walk demands a controlled body.

1 Thessalonians 4:3 "That you should abstain from sexual immorality."

Carefully follow the apostle's argument against impurity:

1 Thessalonians 4:4 "That each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor,..."

We are not to be like those who know not God - the promiscuous behaviour of our day must not lower our standards (1 Thessalonians 4:5 ). A pure walk recognises moral impurity as dishonouring one's self and God.

1 Thessalonians 4:6 "That no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter,"

Sexual immorality always involves defrauding others. There is a price to pay for this form of sinful defrauding - as real as imprisonment for embezzlement.

1 Thessalonians 4:6 "The Lord is the avenger of all such."

Forewarning by the Word and its proclamation, has and will be given - the consequences are real. Our cities and towns bear testimony. Our calling is to holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:7 ).

1 Thessalonians 4:8 "Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God."

Impurity is more than despising a man's rights, it is an act that despises God.

1 Thessalonians 4:8 "Who had also given us His Holy Spirit."

The believer's body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19 ). To treat lightly God's commands for sexual purity, is to most grievously sin against the indwelling Holy Spirit. Practical holiness pleases God. Think on things pure - bring your thought life in subjection to the Holy Spirit, and your deeds will be pleasing to God.

QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. What kind of walk is expected of you?
   • Do you believe that what God's Word requires, you can do in the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit?

2. Do you believe that a pure walk demands a controlled body?
   • Do you recognize promiscuous behaviour as dishonouring to one's self and to God?
   • Do you know that the price of immorality is a sinful defrauding of another?
   • What is the secret of your practicing a practical holiness that pleases God?