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.” (1 Thessalonians 4:3–6 (ESV)
Today’s focus again concerns I Thessalonians 4:6. This featured verse provides the purpose clause for what the Apostle Paul stated in 4:3-5. The Lord’s revealed, moral will for believers in Christ is to abstain from sexual immorality. Believers do so by understanding how to control their bodies in holiness and honor, and not in passionate lust like the unconverted.
Believers in Christ are to obey the Lord’s will regarding a biblical, sexual ethic. Exactly what does this mean?
First, believers are to abstain from sexual immorality. The Bible defines sexual immorality, or fornication, as any deviation from God’s design for physical intimacy. It is to be solely between a binary male husband and his binary female wife. In other words, sex is to be shared between a heterosexual, married couple. Anything else within this subject God considers sin. This is a biblical refutation of the LGBTQ+ movement and philosophy.
Second, believers are to understand how to control their own bodies in holiness and honor. Such behavior is not only to be displayed before other people, but also before God.
Third, believers are not to exhibit passionate lust like those who do not know the Lord. This deviant behavior is the cultural norm of the fallen world. Consequently, believers are not be conformed to the world, but rather to be transformed by the renewing of their minds with the Word of
God (Romans 12:1-2) and to put sin to death (Eph. 4:17-24; Col. 3:5-17)
Fourth, believers are not to sexually sin against other believers or unbelievers. Rather, believers are to be holy and honorable as is the Lord (I Peter 1:13-16).
Fifth, to sexually sin against another individual is to invoke the vengeance of God. The biblical text describes the Lord as an avenger in all these things. An avenger (ἔκδικος; ekdikos) is one who punishes sin. The Lord is a justice giver towards those who violates His will in this area of behavior.
“Sexual immorality is sin, and God will judge all sin (Rom. 6:23a). All such sins (all these things) refer most likely to the various forms of sexual uncleanness not specifically mentioned in the context but covered by the general term “sexual immorality.” Everyone who fears the wrath of God should abstain from immorality because judgment follows such sin as surely as day follows night. That God always judges sin is a basic Christian truth which Paul had taught them and warned them about when he was in Thessalonica,” explains commentator Dr. Thomas Constable in the Bible Knowledge Commentary.
“Sexual sins are sins against the Lord, but they are also sins against other people. Our pursuit of sexual purity is a tangible way we can love our neighbors as ourselves, for sexual immorality hurts people besides ourselves and it makes us more apt to overlook sin in other areas of our lives. May our love for our neighbors motivate us to sexual purity this day and always,” concludes Dr. R. C. Sproul.
Paul solemnly warned the Thessalonians, and believers in Christ today, concerning this issue. To solemnly warn (διεμαρτυράμεθα; diemartyromai) means to admonish or instruct with regard to some future event or action.
God is serious about His original design and purpose for sexual intimacy. He will ultimately respond to any deviation and rebellion against such sins (Rom. 1:18-32; Col. 3:4-7; Heb. 13:1-4).
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 
Amen
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