Salvation: Look how what God says shapes what we do.

There are some good things regarding sanctification that each born again believer should periodically meditate on. I find that spending some time reflecting on Biblical principles like the ones presented below, helps  me stay on track with God's agenda rather than trying to do what I think I should do. 

Belief impacts behavior. As we begin learning and growing in our knowledge of the things of God, our mind and soul is going to be changed. God's intention is to show us what we believe to be true coming straight from His Word shaping the thoughts, words and actions that we undertake. Thus, what we believe impacts what we do. 

Doctrine is followed by duty. Learning about sound doctrine is something we are exhorted to do many times in scripture. The apostle Paul followed a clear pattern when he wrote to the churches and by extension, wrote to us. He typically gave clear doctrinal instructions in the first part of his letters and this was always followed by what we might call duty. Doctrine is truth from God that cannot be surrendered and duty is the spiritual obligation that sound doctrine imposes on us. Thus, doctrine shapes what our duty and responsibility toward God must be.  

Hearing the Word is followed by heeding it. We hear the Word of God when someone teaches us or preaches from the pulpit. We hear it as we read it, think about it, and memorize it. Heeding what we hear from God means that we are going to listen to God with the intent to obey Him. Thus, hearing the word of God should be followed by obedience to what we hear from scripture. 

In his letter to the church at Thessalonica Paul gives the doctrine in chapters 1-3. Then, he gives the duty in chapters 4 & 5. I would like to look at part of his explanation of the doctrine and duty relationship to show us these principles in action. 

Doctrine shows us how to live.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-2  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. 2) For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.  

Notice how Paul presents the intended purpose of sound doctrine. First we see the word "beseech" and in the Greek this word has the idea that Paul is personally and passionately requesting that the Thessalonians give due diligence to what he is saying to them. He is imploring them with a sense of active urgency. 

Next we see the word "exhort" which is also directed at those believers. It is a very strong encouragement for them to hear and heed what he is saying to them, because Paul is speaking for God. Finally we see the word "received" which means that the Thessalonians heard the truth and doctrine that Paul instructed them in and now the apostle is going to help them see the application of this truth. 

Hearing doctrine brings a responsibility to faithfully discharge the duties that it brings. What is the purpose of doctrine? Part of the doctrine that Paul taught this church was giving them the commandments from the Lord Jesus Christ. It is to show us our duty, how we ought to walk and live with a pattern of life that pleases God. And, that we would pursue it with increasing vigor. 

Our sanctification is the will of God.

1Thessalonians 4:3-5  For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4) That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5) Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 

Duty is more than mentally accumulating a collection of doctrinal truths about certain subjects like the virgin birth of Christ or the verbal inspiration of scripture. It is learning and living by the will of God. In this case Paul urged them to pursue moral purity. Notice that he tied moral purity to the ongoing sanctification  process in each believers life. 

Practical sanctification from belief impacting behavior.

1 Thessalonians 4:6  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. 

Next, Paul gave truth to this church that has been passed down to us, along with some  practical ways that a believer's behavior should conform to what they believe. The words "go beyond" means to step over the line of what God commands and to commit sin.  The word "defraud" means to get something by deception, to steal something or to cheat someone.

Perhaps some of the Thessalonians had been deceitful in their dealings with other people. As  workers they might have said that they worked for a full day but only worked for 3/4 of a day. As a seller of goods they might have sold a bad product while claiming that it was good. 

1 Thessalonians 4:7  For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 

The word "uncleanness" means to live in moral impurity, operating with polluted motives and it can even refer to living in luxury at the expense  of others. Paul made it clear that sound doctrine will lead the people of God to holiness not uncleanness. 

1 Thessalonians 4:8  He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. 

The word "despiseth" refers to a believer's attitude toward the sound doctrine from God. It is a word that means living in such a manner that it nullifies or goes against God's will for how we ought to live. It refers to a believer who sets aside sound doctrine in order to do what he or she wants to do. 

1 Thessalonians 4:9-10  But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. 10) And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; 

Sound doctrine also teaches us to love one another and the church at Thessalonica was living by the truth of that doctrine. Not only did those believers demonstrate love for each other, they also loved people beyond their church family, extending love to the general province of Macedonia. Believers today are to love one another and others in the same manner. In a world filled with hate and utter disregard for people, genuine Christian love lived out by all believers would stand out in stark contrast.   God will be honored and magnified when we choose to let doctrine impact our behavior. 

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12  And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12) That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. 

Paul ends this section of applying the doctrine that he taught to this church by reminding them about how to conduct their business. First he reminded them to "study" but this is not Bible study. The word "study" in this text means making an effort to move toward a certain goal, to make this goal something that you aim for. 

The goal for believers is to lead a quiet life by not running around spreading gossip, rumors or stirring up trouble. We see too many people running around causing trouble in America today. Anarchists, political activists and others incite riots, spout out profanity laced invectives,  routinely breaking the law and destroying property. 

Instead, believers should go about their own business with integrity. A believer should be willing to work hard for their employers and using their time, talents and resources for the glory of God. Honesty should be guiding all our dealings with others. Our goal for working or being a entrepreneur is to provide for our families needs and to support the work of God. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

Sanctification is an ongoing process in the life of each believer whereby God is working in us to conform us to the image of his Son, Jesus Christ. 

The ultimate purpose of sanctification is to make believers holy. Now, pursuing holiness is not a very popular subject in Christian circles today. Many claim to be born again but dedicate their lives to living like the world. Yet, we have studied many texts that tell us when we are born again we are a new creation in Christ and old things pass away as God remakes us to be more like Christ. 

Hear and heed what God says: "1 Peter 1:15-16  But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16) Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."

May the Lord help us understand that our salvation brings sanctification to us for our benefit. May each one of us find the joy of living life in obedience to the doctrine and truth from God that we learn. 

Bob