Title: In Holiness and Honor
Contents
A month ago, there was an article about the death of a female professor in China that touched the hearts of netizens. She is a promising young female professor at Fudan University in China as a doctoral student studying abroad. She has a husband and a two-year-old son. However, at the end of 2009, I was diagnosed with terminal mammary cancer. She posted her cancer-fighting process and her feelings about life in a diary on the Internet, which has been read by more than 3.5 million people. Among her articles, the most loved by netizens are as follows.
“If you have time right now, play with the kids and buy shoes and clothes for your parents with the money you saved to buy a car. Instead of trying your best to move to a bigger house with all your might, spend more time with the ones you love. Even if it’s a rabbit house, being with someone you love is happiness.”
Yesterday (May 21) is the national day for married couples. In May, the month of the family, we set the 21st to mean that the two of us will become one. Today, our church is worshiping on couple's Sunday. God speaks to us today simply and clearly.
1. Live a life that pleases God. (Verses 1-2)
- What kind of life is a life that pleases God? The key is “to please God.” *The Thessalonian church members learned to please God through Paul. And that's how I lived. Paul exhorts them. → “Work harder”
- Paul himself lived a life that was pleasing to God. “Not to please men, but to please God who searches our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2:4). Jesus lived a life that was pleasing to God. “He has not left me alone, because I always do what pleases him” (John 8:29).
- Many people in the world live to please themselves. But when we know and believe in God, our lives are changed. A life that pleases God. (2 Corinthians 5:9).
2. A life that pleases God is a holy life. (Verses 3-8)
- God wants us to live a modest life. God wants us to be holy. “It is written, “Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16) *What is a holy life? ① Abandoning sexual immorality is a holy life (verse 3). In a word, it means a life free from sexual wrongs. It means not having sex with anyone other than the person you are married to. Before marriage, it means not having physical sexual contact even if you are dating the opposite sex. “This is the will of God, for your sanctification, that is, to abstain from sexual immorality” (v. ② Treating your spouse with holiness and honor is a holy life (verse 4). The phrase ‘knowing how to treat one’s own wife’ in verse 4 can also be translated as ‘knowing how to control one’s body’. Sexual promiscuity harms himself and his brother (v. 6). Sexual promiscuity is judged by God (v. 6b). Sexual transgression is a sin against man as well as God (verses 7-8).
- What should we do when we sin against God? “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). We must repent before God. If we sincerely repent, God forgives us and gives us another chance. We can start over with God's forgiveness. Live a life that pleases God. Be holy. Treat your spouse holy and honorable. Treat your body holy.