Holiness
or. M. Ashley, M. A. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that you should abstain from fornication:… Holiness, like sin, is many-sided, and each separate side presents us with a different view of its requirements and perfections. In this chapter holiness stands for purity and chastity, and also for liberality in our dealings one with another. A man may be both pure and liberal, and yet, as being proud, wilful, and revengeful, may be very far from being holy. Purity and liberality, or just dealing, are two conditions of holiness — are essential to its presence — yet they by no means exhaust its qualifications. The highest form of holiness is love, a love which at once purifies the affections, exalts the heart, and conforms us to the likeness of Him in whom all holiness finds its example and perfection. I. THE SANCTIFIED IS ONE WHO IS LOVED BY GOD, AND WHO ASKS FOR HIS LOVE IN RETURN. All unholiness keeps us away from God. II. THE SANCTIFIED IS ALSO THE WISHED-FOR ONE. "This is the wishing of God," etc. The creation by God implied a dedication to God (Isaiah 43:7; Colossians 1:16). The wishing of God was made null and void by the fall; yet in His infinite love for man He went on wishing for man still. The purpose of the Incarnation was to reconsecrate lost and fallen man. III. THE SANCTIFIED IS ALSO THE DEAR AND HONOURED ONE; he is precious in the sight of the Lord (Psalm 91:15; John 12:26). IV. HE WHO IS SANCTIFIED IS ALSO DUTIFUL AND REVEREND TOWARDS GOD; not as being moved by threatenings or encouraged by promises, but as being brought within the sphere of the operations of God the Holy Ghost. I cannot be holy unless my holiness produce some kind of fruit and leads to some practical result. V. THE SANCTIFIED ONE IS ALSO ROOTED AND GROUNDED IN THE FAITH, since holiness is gained by faith passing into action. Every successive conquest over sin deepens his spiritual life, and becomes part of such office by which the soul is consecrated to God. VI. THE SANCTIFIED OR CONSECRATED ONE IS ALSO PURE. Sanctification involves regeneration, or a new birth. (or. M. Ashley, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: WEB: For this is the will of God: your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality,