1 Thessalonians 5:16-28
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
25 Brothers, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
27 I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (1 Th 5:16-28). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
Remember the various commands of our LORD. But also listen to these commands from St Paul. He instructs the Thessalonians of how they are to act as people redeemed through the blood of Christ. St Paul tells us to abstain from every form of evil. All Christians are to remain blameless and if we do not desire to hold us to those standards, others will.
The World sees Christians as hypocrites just like the pharisees. Christians often tell other people they are to act blameless but do not act blameless themselves. Christians often rely on the phrase God has sanctified us or made Christians holy. But don't Christians still need to act holy. Christians may be forgiven but they also need to repent or turn from their wickedness.
Rejoice and again I say to rejoice for Christ has died for your salvation. He has washed you clean in his blood. Jesus Christ has made you holy through his salvation. You are sanctified. Now Act like it. Hold fast to the truth, and test everything. Hold yourselves to a high standard. Do not measure others with a measuring stick you do not measure for yourself.
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