Rejecting God

[B-A-C]

1 Thes 4:3; For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality;
1 Thes 4:4; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor,
1 Thes 4:5; not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God;
1 Thes 4:6; and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you.
1 Thes 4:7; For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification.
1 Thes 4:8; So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.

This is a passage many churches avoid these days, but it's still in the Bible.
For "your sanctification" you need to abstain for sexual immorality. It says we need to "know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification".
The word "sanctification" is used three times in the six verses above.
Sexual immorality is rampant in the world today.... even amongst "Christians" (or at least those who call themselves Christians).
But it is the will of God that you abstain - from sexual immorality. I'm sure it's His will that we abstain from all sin, but why the special emphasis
on ... sexual... immorality?
It goes on to say... that if you reject this... (abstaining from sexual immorality) ... you are actually rejecting God. (who gives the Holy Spirit)

1 Cor 6:15; Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take away the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? May it never be!
1 Cor 6:16; Or do you not know that the one who joins himself to a prostitute is one body with her? For He says, "THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH."
1 Cor 6:17; But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him.
1 Cor 6:18; Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body.
1 Cor 6:19; Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?
1 Cor 6:20; For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

Now maybe some of us don't drive downtown and find a prostitute to have sex with. Maybe some of us don't "pay for sex".
But really what's the difference in paying for pornography, internet sites, magazines, movies, and committing debauchery with ourselves?

This sin is different from others, this sin is against your own body! (The temple of the Holy Spirit)

The "God's Word" translation puts it this way.
(GW) Stay away from sexual sins. Other sins that people commit don't affect their bodies the same way sexual sins do. People who sin sexually sin against their own bodies.
"The Message" puts it this way.
(MSG) There is a sense in which sexual sins are different from all others. In sexual sin we violate the sacredness of our own bodies, these bodies that were made for God-given and God-modeled love, for "becoming one" with another.

I think many who call themselves Christians today take sexual sin way too lightly. Some are homosexuals, some are living in adultery, many are living in fornication.
But the Bible says.. abstain from these things.

1 Thes 4:8; So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.

Are you rejecting God?

 

[Dave M]

Preach it brother !! this should be one of the most preached messages from the pulpit today, yet as you say its hardly talked about in a lot of churches. I remember back in my college days I was a catholic and never new it was a sin to have sex outside of marriage , in college it was considered cool to score with as many women as possible, so many have no idea about this, or as you said take it lightly.

I ram this message down all my friends throats, but non seem to take seriously, the bible talks about some people are blind and can not see in spiritual terms because of there sin and when I see people ignore this warning in scripture I realize how blind they are, and I was also.

Its plain as day right here

1 Corinthians 6:9
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,

Here is a quick survey that showed 76% of all this college students have had sex

The results for Student Life’s 2017 Sex Survey revealed that 76.4 percent of Washington University students have had sex—an increase from last year’s figure of 67.7 percent.

Over 1,100 students replied to the annual survey, which is nonscientific and optional for students. The survey focused on a number of topics, including relationships, sexual history, sexual orientation and sexual assault.

2017 sex survey statistics reveal students’ sex habits - Student Life

The results for Student Life’s 2017 Sex Survey revealed that 76.4 percent of Washington University students have had sex—an increase from last year’s figure of 67.7 percent.

www.studlife.com

 

[Brother-Paul]

@B-A-C

Good post as always, let The Word speak.

Reply to your question No :smile:

@Dave M
It should be as you say one of the most preached topic, putting the necessity of being born again first, John 3:1-21 In Full not in parts and dwelling on John 3:16

Many preachers are answerable to their bosses for congregation size and takings/budgets. They are frightened of losing those who sit in the pews/seats.

What use is it having 50, 100, 200 in the seats if only 5 or 10 are born again. What use is it having so many in a congregation if only parts of The Word are preached, the cotton wool ball stuff to keep people in the seats. Keeping people in the seats pays the wages and keeps people in work.

That may sound hard, but that is how it is in many places of worship.

Many say we are a Gospel believing Church, but have selective readings over a two year period then repeated again.

The Word is not read in full, The Word is not expounded, The Word is limited often taking a general theme from an OT, NT and Gospel reading. Generalizing the message, liberal preaching.