For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;

1 Thessalonians 4:2-3

Want to know what the will of God is for your life? Sanctification. Most of us know that the definition of the word relates to being set apart from the world around us. Sanctification is a progressive process bringing our character closer to that of Christ in our lives. That’s why Paul used the words “more and more” to describe his expectations for the Thessalonians.

Consider this thought – “God is the one who does the work of making us more like Christ, and we participate in that work by a life of continually turning away from sin and demonstrating our faith in Christ by obeying God’s commands. The Holy Spirit plays a key role in this process; as we walk in the power of the Spirit we “will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).”

Matthew S. Harmon, Grace Theological Seminary

Next, Paul gives a very specific command – “abstain from sexual immorality.” Isn’t it interesting that for a group of people who are on track and growing in the faith, Paul delivers such a warning? Why?

Paul recognized that sexual temptation and immorality were a reality in the first century. We know it still is today. We see examples all around us, but not just with the “Gentiles.” Sexual immorality breaks down barriers and destroys lives and families and there is something deeper about sexual sin.

Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.

1 Corinthians 6:18

Again, it is God who is at work in our sanctification, and “we participate in that work by a life of continually turning away from sin and demonstrating our faith in Christ by obeying God’s commands.”