“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God” (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5)

“It is God’s will…”

There are a handful of instances in scripture where the Bible simply tells us that this is God’s will. So whatever follows such statements deserves our full attention.

“It is God’s will that you be sanctified…”

Sanctified means to be more like Christ. It means that every day, every moment, we are becoming more like Christ. It means that we are more like Jesus today than we were when we received Jesus as Lord and Savior. And, it means that a year from now, we ought to be more like Jesus than we are today.

Sanctification – this word literally means to become more holy. We are to be more holy because Jesus is holy. And if we are becoming more like Jesus, then we are becoming more holy.

Sanctification – this is a process that will continue until Christ calls us home. This is a never ending process. You can’t be sanctified in a moment. This is a life-long process.

What is interesting is that in almost every instance sanctification is talked about in the New Testament, its reference is sexual purity. You cannot be like Christ without also living a life that is holy, set apart, sanctified. I am not sure why the Bible makes such a big deal about sexuality. But what is clear is that there is no such thing as pursuing Christ without also pursuing sexual holiness.

When Christians confuse joy and happiness with pleasure, Christians will run into error. You see, while sexual sin is capable of delivering pleasure, sexual sin cannot ever make someone happy. Pleasure is not the same thing as joy and happiness. Sexual sin will never lead to joy and peace.

Of course sexual sin is pleasurable. If it weren’t we would never struggle with it. But pleasure cannot lead to joy and happiness.

God offers us joy and genuine happiness. Pursue Christ. Be sanctified.

How can I say that? Because I know that this is God’s will for you and for me.

“Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” – Hebrews 9:27-28

America is divided.

We are divided over political agendas and our loyalties to our political parties. We are divided over whether we ought to “Make America Great Again,” or whether President Trump was one of the worst things that could have happened to our country. We are divided over gun control, abortion, capital punishment.

America is divided.

The same divisions that exist in America divide Christians in the church. I am not sure what to think about that. On the one hand, that the church in America mirrors the culture in America is not surprising. But, I am disappointed that the church cannot find a greater identity to rally and unite around than the same things that divide the American culture. I want the church to have a greater rallying point, a greater unity than the ones found in our culture.

Because when we die it won’t make the slightest difference what political party we belonged to. It won’t matter how much money we had in our bank accounts, how many toys we owned, how many degrees we earned, which neighborhood we lived in, which social circles we ran around in.

The only thing that will matter is whether we belong to Christ or not.

That’s it. That’s the only thing that will matter.

Since that’s the only thing that will matter in the end, shouldn’t Jesus be the only thing that Christians rally around? Shouldn’t our commitment to Jesus be the only thing that unites the church?

I am not sure exactly how and what that would look like, but I am pretty sure it does not look like what the church looks like today.

“For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!” (Ezekiel 18:32).

One of the biggest objections to the gospel invitation to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior is that people are offended that they are viewed as sinners. “What do you mean, calling me a sinner? I am a good person! Just ask anyone. It’s not like I’ve raped or murdered anyone!”

Our world has been programed to think that people are inherently good. But this view is the polar opposite of the view of the Bible and here is the reason why.

Most people think of sin in degrees. But the Bible doesn’t look at sin that way.

We are told that “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). How can the Bible say that?

Sin is not graded on a curve but based on God’s absolutely holiness. Let me explain this way. Even the worst murderer in the history of humankind doesn’t murder every day and every waking moment. In fact, if we were to look at how much time the worst murderer in the history of humankind spent murdering compared to the times that he was not murdering, the times of not murdering would surpass the moments spent murdering by thousands of minutes and seconds. It would be incomparable.

But how many times must a person murder in order to be a murderer? Just once.

It would be ludicrous for the murderer to argue that he shouldn’t be deemed a murderer just because of one momentary lapse. In fact, 99.9999999999999% of his life he’s never murdered. So, why would anyone hold that .0000000000001% of his life against him?

That would be a ludicrous defense.

But that’s what people say to God. I am basically a good person. Most of my life is not spent on sinning. I do mundane things most of my time, I do a whole lot of good, and sure there are times when I mess up but it pales in comparison to the mundane and the good.

How many times must a person sin to become a sinner? Just once.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” It’s not about sin in degrees or sin based on a curve or averages.

This is why the salvation Jesus offers sinners is such good news. Jesus promises to take on the wrath of God to punish sinners. God doesn’t take pleasure in judgment. He wants us to repent and live!

Hear and receive the good news of Jesus Christ. We are sinners in need of a Savior. The Savior has a name. He is Jesus Christ. Receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior.