The message of I Thessalonians 4 could be stated in one sentence:  Live holy for me, love the brethren, work honestly because I am coming for you.

“1  Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more” (Super Abound).  Paul was passionately desirous that they live to please God in order to super abound in life.  He even gave them clear commandments in obtaining that abounding life.

 

It is ridiculous how often people inquire about God’s will, when He has made it so clear.  The sad irony is, they tend to have an eye for the reward, but not for the task.  God’s greatest will is that we represent Him.  He created us for this very cause.  This is obvious as he created us in His image. Like in the film "Toy Story"  God has placed his signature upon us.

All of mankind lives in bodies that are not their possession.  What?  Yes, you read right.  The body you live in is not your possession.  The ownership is God’s.  He determines whether you were to be born and He decides when you are to die.  "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" 1Co 6:19 

If you really think you own it; just try and defend that right of ownership!  You and I, are living rent free because of God’s will.  If we violate that will, it is a breach of covanant that can affect an eviction.  God maintains the purpose of our bodies and His ownership in I Corinthians 6:13  “Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.”

I Thess 4:3  "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from (ἀπέχω (ap-ekh'-om-ahee)) fornication (πορνεία (por-ni'-ah));"

The meaning of “Fornication” is more obvious for us in the Greek than it is in English.  “Porn-iah” by itself brings it into clarity.  Everything outside of the marital covenant, yes, even looking, is fornication.  The moment a glance becomes a stare, you have begun down the road to adultery.

We break convenant with God when we  do not “Abstain”.   Our convenant is to be only for God in that we hold ourselves from(that is far from) fornication or pornification.  Sorry, that isn’t a word, but you shouldn’t forget the meaning of fornication. ;° )  In other words, stay away from the moral exit!  Hold yourself in moral living unto God.

"4  That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;  5  Not in the lust(path'-os) of concupiscence(ἐπιθυμία (epithumiah)) , even as the Gentiles (εθνος ( ethnos) the unsaved in your surrounding culture) which know not God:"

OK,  when or how does fornication begin?  When the “pathos” sickness of  “epithumiah” surface excitement takes over.   Huh?  That funny feeling…  You know… in your stomach, the fluttering heart, the racing pulse, the chemistry.  Are these things really wrong?  When meeting eyes changes your pulse and he/she is not yours, RUN! You have a covenant with God first.  If he has or hasn’t brought someone into your life, you owe it to him according to that convenant to wait for his leading, before you allow feelings to trap you into adultery/fornication.

Dodge Cupid's arrows!  They do not make you fall in love.  They just make you sick.  Did you notice the word used to translate "epithumiah" has a latin base?

Concupiscence is from Latin.  It is a strong desire, especially sexual desire; lust.  Do you see Cupid trying to hide in the midst of that word?  He is aiming to wound the unsuspecting and the undisciplined souls.  His intent is not a healthy stable oath based love, but a sick(pathos), burning, unstable, destructive, performance-based one-night-stand.  Love is not his goal! "Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart." 2Ti 2:22 

Knowing this can protect you, your covenant with God, and your possible future mate, keeping you from stealing what belongs to another.  There are too many suffering under the effects of performance-based relationships rather than oath-based.  How a marriage is constructed will determine it’s viability and depth.   If it’s foundation is a sick flutter feeling, how long will that last?  If it is a life commitment based on an oath to He who has ownership of your body, it will last “till death do you part."

"6  That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 7  For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 8  He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit."

Remember your covenant with God.   He is keeping score.  If you break your marriage vow, even if you are not yet married, you have despised Him who holds your lease on the use of the body you indwell.  He is watching all of the time.  Wow, does He practice grace!!!  Let us not tempt grace, shall we?

Let us rather, love the brethren as our Lord commanded and illustrated in his sacrifice.  He loved beyond measure.   We will live a quiet life, working to take care of our needs and those of the needy around us. Keep in mind, "idle hands are the devil's workshop" and an idle mind is the devil's drafting-room.  As children of the most high, we should never be a burden to others, rather we must be a blessing; illustrating God's presence.  We are in a covenant with the Most High. We will live as though He is returning tomorrow. 

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