“…that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God” (1 Thess. 4:3–5).

 

“this is the will of God, your sanctification” (1 Thess. 4:3, NKJV)

The root word of sanctification has to do with holiness. It relates to our being set apart to God and reflects a commensurate change in character. We are holy and are therefore to be holy (1 Cor. 1:2). If justification (Rom. 3-5) relates to our new legal standing before God, sanctification (Rom. 6-8) relates to our new position and spiritual growth where we die more and more to sin and live increasingly to righteousness.

Sanctification has to do with more than just external behavior. It addresses a holiness of attitude and ambition. When Peter addresses holiness he has us look to our Heavenly Father as our point of reference and directs us to an obedience-driven life rather than a desire-driven life. He unfurls it this way: “…as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct” (1 Pet. 1:14–15).

New life in Christ requires new living for Christ that encompasses everything about us. That includes more than sexual morality but not less. In turning to the topic of sanctification Paul zeroes in on this dimension of life. He begins by saying: “For this is the will of God, your sanctification” (1 Thess. 3:5).

By “will” here the apostle is stating what our Father requires of us, or to borrow what he has just said, “how we ought to walk and please God” (1 Thess. 4:1).

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