4:3
We now get some insight into the teaching that the early Christians received, and remember that this instruction was given "through the Lord". The overall aim was sanctification, having our lives cleansed of what was unclean, offensive to God. And this replaced by ways that are pleasing to God. The first example given is that of sexual immorality, and we are to abstain from this. Note that it doesn't matter if we have desires for something, if it is displeasing to God we don't do it. Churches which encourage immoral behaviour should be utterly ashamed of themselves.
“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified”. Being saved means so much more than just being forgiven. Forgiveness is essential, and it is the doorway to so much more. It is definitely not about our “getting away with it”. God saved us so that we would become like Christ, and the Holy Spirit works within us to make us ever more Christlike. So if we resist this, or even have no interest in being sanctified, then we are working against God, we are living as enemies of God.
4:4,5
We are to control our bodies. Self-control is part of the fruit of the Spirit. This teaching was very much at odds with the culture of the day, much the same as today! It is worth noting that one of the attractive features of the gospel in the first century was that it taught sexual restraint. Our bodies, and every one else's, are to be treated with respect and honoured as holy. This is very much at odds with the world's approach.
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