Scripture to Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8
God has called each of us, as believers, to honor and glorify Him through our lives. As we read 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 today, we see that God has NOT called us to live impure in any area of our lives. To live pure sexually definitely honors our King. But we should also live pure lives in the six other areas of our lives. This means we choose to live pure and holy spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally, socially, and financially too. We must continually examine our lives to make sure we are living sanctified (set apart from this world, totally committed to our Lord Jesus Christ). To live sanctified spiritually means we are passionately pursuing Christ and His Word daily. To live sanctified physically means we are taking care of God’s temple (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). To live sanctified emotionally and mentally means we are renewing our minds daily through His Word (2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:23; Psalms 119:9). To live sanctified socially means our closest friends are those who are pursuing Christ and His Word as well (1 Corinthians 15:33; 2 Timothy 2:22). To live sanctified financially means we are good stewards of all God has given us because everything is a gift from Him (James 1:17; 1 Timothy 3:3; 1 Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5). God’s warning in 1 Thessalonians 4:8 is sobering. God tells us that if we reject any of this, we are not rejecting man but we are rejecting Him, who gave us His Holy Spirit.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about being sanctified in all seven areas of your life?
2. Who will you share this truth with this week?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!