1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

(1) В¶ Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. (2) For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. (3) For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: (4) That everyone of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; (5) Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: (6) That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. (7) For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. (8) He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

In the opening of this Chapter, we find the Apostle, calling upon the Church, to exercise those distinguishing features of character, which are the immediate fruits of regeneration. If we live in the spirit, let us also walk in the spirit. Now, for the better apprehension of the subject itself, as well as the special arguments, by which alone the Apostle calls upon believers to the practice of holiness; I very earnestly beg the Reader to attend to what the Apostle, hath said, in these verses. First. It is to the Church Paul here speaks; and not unto the unawakened, carnal, and ungodly world. He considers them as in a state of regeneration; for he saith as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and please God. A plain proof that he considered them as such, who from being called out of the Adam-nature of sin, had received Christ Jesus as the whole of salvation; and were looking to him for grace in the exercise of all gospel sanctification. Secondly. As the principle of the new life by regeneration, was wrought in the heart; so the effect of it would manifest itself in the life, in all holy conversation, and godliness. Nothing can be more manifest, that this is the whole drift of the Apostle's precept. As ye have received of us how ye ought to walk. There can be no walk, for there is no life, in one, dead in trespasses and sins. But, as the Church was no longer dead in trespasses and sins; so, from the new life imparted, it was expected, suitable actions of life would appear. Ye have received of us the knowledge of these things; look to it then, that there be a suitable correspondence.

And this appears with yet further evidence, from what follows. For this is the will of God even your sanctification. God's will is, that Christ is made of God unto his people, wisdom, righteousness. sanctification, and redemption. 1 Corinthians 1:30. Then, as this is God's will, and Christ is the sanctification of his people; this life of Christ in the soul, will manifest itself, in all corresponding conduct. Christ reigns, and rules within; and is the source of everything blessed to his people. Hence, therefore, it is known from the actions without, that Christ reigns within. For they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. Galatians 5:24

And, it should be observed yet further, that the sins of our corrupt nature, which the Gentiles were much addicted to, were not considered by them, in the light which the Gospel regarded. Hence Paul, writing to a Church chiefly gathered from Gentiles, found occasion, more particularly to advert to this subject. And where the Holy Spirit was given, which a state of regeneration implies, it became an interesting part of the Apostle's exhortations, to show the Church, how effectually his Almighty power was manifested, in the lives of God's people, in that work of the new-birth, wrought upon the heart. Agreeably to what John, the beloved Apostle, taught, whoever is born of God, doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him; and he cannot sin because he is born of God. 1 John 3:9. Reader! it is very blessed to see, where the security of God's people is found; that all strength in a life of grace, and righteousness, may be sought for only from the Lord! For further views on sanctification see 2 Thessalonians 2:13.