I Thessalonians 4:2 NKJV

for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

I Thessalonians 4:2 NKJV

Paul was writing to the Thessalonian believers who once practised pagan religion but now have accepted Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

The commandment that Paul gave to the Thessalonians is not the law of Moses but the new covenant that Jesus has established for all mankind.

Paul was checking on them to see whether they are living their lives as one who have been free. He was coaching them to know what they have received in Christ so that they can overcome the habits and patterns of the past.

He was teaching them to live as a person who has been made holy and to live blamelessly with the power of God.

Immorality and living in sin had become a normal, accepted culture in their times. So the command from Paul was to live as who Christ has made us to be and not to accept the polluted culture.

Paul emphasised the importance of living out our faith as men and women who took care of their bodies as the temple of God.

We are not to defile our bodies with passions and desires that gratify the flesh. Instead, we are to live our lives in the spirit with the resurrection power of God.

The culture in our own society was no diferent to the Thessalonians in their time. Are we as a church practising things that can be a downfall of many lives?

Are we practising things that do not reveal the righteousness of God that is in us? Paul is teaching us today to live by His Spirit as born-again children of God.

Let us treasure, practice, and shine the power-filled life we have received in Christ our Lord.

Live in the blessings,

Ps Ambrose