Together in Christ: 'Stay Far Away!' — 1 Thessalonians 4:2-6

Paul used a nautical term to warn the new Thessalonian believers to avoid sexual sin. The Greek word Paul chose, ἀπέχεσθαι (ah-peck'-es-thai), is translated "stay far away from" all sexual sin. When a sailor shouted the word ἀπέχεσθαι, any nearby shipmaster could easily hear and respond appropriately! In Paul's time, shipmasters shouted this warning if another vessel passed too closely: "Stay far away! ἀπέχεσθαι!" This command was well known by those who lived in the important sea port of Thessalonica. So, Paul adapted this urgent, sharp, well-known term, and then used it to warn them to stay far away from any form of sexual immorality!

Commitment to holiness and staying away from sexual immorality was something Paul taught new believers when he first presented the truth of the Good News of Jesus. He emphasized that they needed to turn their lives away from sin and follow Jesus. ^[1] The word he chose for "all sexual sin" was a broad word, implying the full range of sexually immoral behaviors and impurity, as the translation indicates. ^[2] He also emphasized that he had "the authority of the Lord Jesus" in what he taught. Paul stressed both in today's verses and in other places that for me to "stay away from all sexual sin" involved four key commitments:

1. Honoring God's will for me to be holy - dedicated and set apart for Him and His service. ^[3]
   
2. Controlling my own body and living each day in holiness and honor - not feeding the lustful passions of my fallen nature. ^[4]
   
3. Not acting in any way that would cheat fellow believers - by robbing them of their sexual rights, purity, and freedom in their own body or with their spouse. ^[5]
   
4. Remembering that while they may not see immediate consequences and judgment on sexually immoral behavior, God will deal with these matters appropriately. ^[6]

Paul's challenging teaching to the Thessalonian believers, people who lived in an immoral seaport, reminds me of the consistency of Paul's teaching in the churches about living holy lives. He teaches me that I am to offer myself, my body, the Temple of the Holy Spirit, to God as a place of worship. ^[7] I am to glorify God and love God by how I live, body, soul, mind, and spirit. ^[8] I don't know about you, but I want to live into God's call for me so that I can bring my Father joy and help others find Jesus! ^[9]