Exodus: A Group StudySample

What is this passage saying?

Paul exhorts the Thessalonian church to live in a way that pleases God.

What is this passage teaching?

Like Israel, God has called His church to cultivate holiness and purity. Attitudes and actions not done out of love for God or neighbor (Matthew 22:34-40) are at odds with the will of God and distract from the mission of the church. In this passage, Paul emphasizes both sexual purity and brotherly love as supreme demonstrations of holiness. Those that disregard Paul’s instructions disregard God Himself since his Spirit is the one that teaches them (1 Thessalonians 4:8).

How do I respond?

While the church and Israel were both called to holiness and purity, their responses to sinfulness are radically different. Israel would have to offer sacrifices in faith at the temple to purify and atone for sins. As the throat of the sacrifice was cut, the blood was a reminder of the cost of sinfulness. The church, however, trusts in the shed blood of Christ for the forgiveness of sin. Confessing and repenting of sin in faith reorients hearts back to Christ and enables believers to live in purity and holiness. God has called you to holiness, will you choose to walk in a way that pleases God today? Pray for wisdom to live out the will of God and your sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:3).