Holiness versus evil
B1 God’s standards versus every other standard
C1 We are to walk worthily: 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 WEB As you know, we exhorted, comforted, and implored every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 to the end that you should walk worthily of God, who calls you into his own Kingdom and glory.
D1 Walk is the New Testament term for lifestyle. It is our day to day life. It is how we are to live our life in public and private.
E1 Luke 1:6 WEB They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.
E2 Romans 8:1 WEB There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don’t walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
D2 Walk, in agreement with the above point, also is a lifestyle without darkness. A life without darkness is a life lived with God’s help, God’s blessing, God’s truth, and God’s freedom:
E1 John 8:12 WEB Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
E2 John 12:35 WEB Jesus therefore said to them, “Yet a little while the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness doesn’t overtake you. He who walks in the darkness doesn’t know where he is going.
B2 Live God’s standards
C1 No sexual sins. Both husband and wife (only husband and wife according to God’s standards) are to enjoy sexual pleasure and togetherness. The wife is to enjoy pleasure just as the husband. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 WEB 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 sanctification and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who don’t know God.
C2 Living a quiet and upright life
D1 No gossip. If we tell the truth, it is not gossip. It we warn others, it is not gossip. If we can prevent further crimes or abuse, it is not gossip. If we are seeking help and tell our story, it is not gossip. If it is a truth about someone and they complain that it is gossip, it is not gossip. Gossip is when we have a secret just between you and me that is not criminal or injurious, and then I spread it far and near. For example, I had a job once where I learned to never tell a certain person what was happening in the family, finances, plans for the future, complaints, etc, because she would blab it to everyone. I did take advantage of this once, for I wanted some information to be given to all the other workers. I told this worker the information, and she told everyone. Ha!
D2 We are to work to meet our needs and have some extra to help others especially believers. 2 Thessalonians 3:7-10 WEB For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we didn’t behave ourselves rebelliously among you, 8 neither did we eat bread from anyone’s hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you; 9 not because we don’t have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us. 10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: “If anyone will not work, don’t let him eat.”
B3 Living by God’s standards and being God’s people will result in a witness of our faith.
B4 Here are a number of rules for all Christians to be living this very day and tomorrow: 1 Thessalonians 5:14-22 WEB We exhort you, brothers,
C1 admonish the disorderly—the disorderly cause trouble in society and/or the church
C2 encourage the faint-hearted—these are those discouraged, sad, etc.
C3 support the weak—in persecution, distresses, physical
C4 be patient toward all. 15
C5 See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good, for one another, and for all—calling law enforcement to report a crime is not returning evil. To call is a protective measure. 16
C6 Rejoice always—if nothing else, we rejoice that God will never leave us and also suffered. 17
C7 Pray without ceasing—this is an attitude not a 24 prayer vigil 18
C8 In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. 19
C9 Don’t quench the Spirit. 20 by disobeying the Scriptures and in those days, not following the advice of the Apostles
C10 Don’t despise prophesies. 21
C11 Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good. 22 The Scriptures are our standard.
C12 Abstain from every form of evil. Again, the standard is God’s Word as in recorded in the Scriptures.
B5 To stand firm in the faith. This is to continue in the doctrine that the Lord Jesus and the Apostles taught. This does not change in time or different societies. God’s way is best. Our way is not.
C1 Malachi 3:6 NRSV For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, have not perished.
C2 Hebrews 13:8 NRSV Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
C3 Proverbs 14:12 WEB There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
B6 Living by God’s standards and being God’s people will result in persecution.
Some encouragement
B1 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 NRSV Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us, so that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified everywhere, just as it is among you, 2 and that we may be rescued from wicked and evil people; for not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will go on doing the things that we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.
B2 We are to pray for the Christian brothers and sisters
C1 For the Gospel to be spread to others
C2 For believers to be rescued from evil people
C3 For God’s strength. He WILL strengthen us.
C4 For safety from the evil one, especially satan. God is always victorious.
C5 For continuing in the faith in beliefs and lifestyle
C6 For continual seeking God’s help and wisdom
Psalms 28:7 NRSV The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.
Psalms 55:22 NRSV Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
John 16:33 NRSV I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!"
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