No More No’s or Stop’s - Day 276 Month 10-2 Week 38-3
Today's Reading (Bible in 1 year)
1 Chronicles 9:35-11:9, Song of Solomon 3, Daniel 11, 1 Thessalonians 4
No More No’s or Stop’s
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality … For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification.” (1 Thessalonians 4:3,7 NASB1995)
Just as it is in the world today, sexual immorality was an external cultural pressure when Paul was writing to the church in Thessalonica. His message to them was that even though there are outside pressures and lifestyles that make sexual immorality acceptable, they, as Jesus followers, are called to continue their transformation of becoming more like Jesus.
Certainly in today’s culture, sexual immorality surrounds us. Porn is available on the internet, adultery happens, and sexual relationships outside the context of marriage are common. These are all things that Paul would consider sexual immorality. A Jesus follower is called to flee from these things.
Though the apostle Paul is being specific about sexual immorality, a Jesus follower is to pursue becoming more like Jesus. There are lots of things we can say we should avoid, but in my opinion, the key is less about avoiding and more about transformation.
Our dog Jake is a stubborn beast! He also deals with all sorts of anxieties, and since he is a rescue from Egypt, we don’t know what he faced in the five years before he came to us. If Sylvia and I are having a discussion and not including Jake, he will often start licking his paws excessively and chewing his claws. He’ll also do other things, such as drinking water excessively. He constantly needs to know that he is with us and part of things.
Unfortunately, we often need to scold him, so the commands “Jake, NO!” or “Jake, STOP!” are spoken often throughout the day. Because of his stubbornness, he’ll keep doing it, forcing us to take action to make him stop.
But then daycare Thursdays come along. The day when we never have to say those commands. As we drive him to his daycare, he knows where he is, and as soon as we start turning off the highway, he jumps up and, for the next kilometer, he barks continuously because he cannot contain his excitement. He knows he’s going to have a day with all his doggy friends, and he doesn’t lick his paws or chew his claws because his pursuit is about playing with his friends.
From a spiritual perspective, our lives can become dull, mundane and truly difficult if we feel that all we are doing is fleeing immorality. On the other hand, if we pursue transformation and are constantly spending time in prayer and listening to Jesus, we aren’t just saying No or Stop to ourselves. We are saying, “Yes, Lord.”
Our days can be full of fulfillment because our pursuit is towards Jesus rather than simply away from sin.
My thought for the day? Pursue Jesus!
Have a great day!
Steve
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