1 Thessalonians 4

In the first chapter of this letter we looked at a sequence of events to draw the conclusion that God's will for believers is to imitate Christ.

Here in chapter 4 that message is far more explicit. "For this is the will of God, your sanctification" (vs 3). We have used that word before—it means the process by which we are made into the image of Christ, who is holy. Holiness is what we have been called to (vs 7), therefore we ought to walk in a way that reflects that calling (vs 1).

Paul lays out three ways for us to live out that calling: sexual purity, brotherly love, and informed hope. We do not have space here to expand on these, but we can see from this passage that Paul believes these three are fruit in the lives of those who are filled with the Holy Spirit.

So once again we are told that the way in which we are to develop behavior that resembles that of Christ, is not primarily by focusing on our behavior, although that's part of it. The first and most important thing we must always do in order for our lives to reflect Christ, is to be filled with Christ. And the ongoing filling of Christ in our lives comes through his written word to us.

Show me someone who regularly delights in feasting on God's word, and I'll show you someone who resembles Christ.