A Life Pleasing to God

“Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. ² For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. ³ For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; ⁴ that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. ⁷ For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. ⁸ Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.”

In regards to the Doctrine of Sanctificaiton, my church’s Confession of Faith says:

“We believe that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means—especially the Word of God, self- examination,levit self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.”

First Thessalonians 4:3 states that sanctification is the will of God. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, believers are to live holy because God is holy! (Leviticus 11:44 and 1 Peter 1:16). Our church’s Confession of Faith makes is plain that there are two distinct types of sanctification. First, there is the positional sanctification. This is the work of the Holy Spirit when a person is regenerated or ‘born again’ into the kingdom of God. By position, which is due to their faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ, they are separated and joined unto him and made for good works. The second type is called progressive sanctification. This sanctification is carried out in the hearts of the believers by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in combination the Word of God. Romans 12:1-2 says, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. ² Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Believers, in accordance with the will of God, are required to mature and grow in holiness, or Christlikeness, until the day that Jesus returns. On that day, our path towards holiness will be made complete when we are glorified in His presence. John said in 1 John 3:2, “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” Therefore, being transformed, growing in holiness, maturing in the faith, walking and living by faith to please God, and being sanctified are all the same thing in essence: the Doctrine of Sanctification.

Essentially, the Doctrine of Sanctification is our liketime effort to mortify sin in our lives and live obediently to his commands. Hebrews 12:1-2 says it best, ‘…let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…” We are to participate with the Holy Spirit by being engaged and abiding in Christ via the Word of God. Through our study of God’s Holy Word we renew our minds. Some say, ‘Garbage in; garbage out!’ This means that what ever we put into our hearts and minds, will be what comes out. Therefore, cherish and read the Word of God, so that what comes out from our hearts is a wellspring of life overflowing with joy! And not garbage!

The Apostle Paul now wants to list a few of the sins that the Thessalonians must have been struggling with. For we know this list is not complete, but in brief, they were to abstain from sexual immorality, control their passions, and do not transgress against their brothers. No doubt, these three big sins will separate them as different from the ways and means of other Thessalonians who are pagans, idolators, and have no fear of God. And that is exactly what God wants from us. We are to be separated as holy unto Him, because He is holy. Holiness means “not common.” That is why we are commanded to keep the name of the Lord God holy, not common. Many godless people use the name of Jesus today as a curse word. O how horrible! In the plagues against Eygpt, God separated and made a distinstinction between the Egyption and the Israelites, who were holy unto Him. When the Israelites came and entered into the land of Canaan, they were to tear down the altars and idols of the pagan people they were driving out. In this way, God was separating them and causing them to be holy unto Him. In the same way, we are not to be common, but holy unto the Lord our God. We are not to have the same lifestyle that dishonors God by neglecting and disobeying His commandments. Instead, we are live a life that pleases Him. Many times, or rather most of the time, we must deny ourselves of the simple godless pleasures that the godless around us enjoy. The question we must answer, is this a price too great for us to bear?

If the price is to great, and if we do love the pleasures of Egypt rather than being with the children of God, if our heart turns and mourns for the destruction of Sodom rather than running to escape His divine wrath, If we rather disobey and take a bite of the forbidden fruit than be obedient to His commands, then more than likely there will be a pending doom for those who choose begrudgingly. A Christian’s greatest joy is being like Jesus. We desire more than life itself to hate our sin and live more obedient to his call. God’s will and His call for our lives is to be holy unto Him. Therefore, deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him to the Eternal City. For He is truly our great reward!

Christian Hymn: Take Time to be Holy, by William D. Longstaff in 1882

1. Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
   Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
   Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
   Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
2. Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
   Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.
   By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
   Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.
3. Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;
   And run not before Him, whatever betide.
   In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
   And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.
4. Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
   Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
   Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
   Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.