LIVING A HOLY LIFE

     Christians at Thessalonica were encouraged to "abound more and more" in holiness. The same encouragement is needed by the church of Christ today. God’s people must live a holy life. You must devote your life to following Christ. "Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. For God did not call us to un­cleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who re­jects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit." (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8)

     Paul very affectionately encouraged the Christians at Thessalonica to be Holy. With much love Paul begged these people as "brethren in Christ." He "exhorted" them to holiness because his love for them was great.  Paul encouraged these brethren to abound more and more in holy living. They were already examples of faith in God and service to Him but Paul desired growth in these areas. Even those who are examples for others should themselves continue to grow in all the graces which identify them as followers of the Master. Christians should grow spiritually until death in their "walk of holiness." I "urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you abound more and more" in living a holy life.

    Live a holy life because it is your spiritual duty. The Christians at Thessalonica understood the commands of God and they understood their duty to walk in them. "For you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 4:2.) If they failed to do their duty they could not plead ignorance.. James said faith without works is dead. (James 2:26.) It is also true that knowl­edge without action is fruitless. The gospel is a way of living, not just a way of believing or a way of talking. The design of the gospel is to control our daily liv­ing. Paul taught these brethren how to "walk" so as to please God. Those who are in Christ do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." (Romans 8:1)

     Live a holy life because it is by the authority of Jesus. The encouragement to abound more and more in the life and walk of holiness is "by the Lord Je­sus" or by His authority. God gave Jesus all authority. "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth." (Matthew 28:18) When Paul challenged these brethren to more holiness he did so by the authority of Christ. Those who live and walk in holiness walk by the commandments given by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Christians must learn to observe all the commandments of the Lord. Jesus said believers were to be taught "to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20.) Life can be filled with both peace and joy when lived by the commandments of the Lord.

     Live a holy life because that is how we can please God. God's people should walk in holiness so as to please Him. God is holy and He expects His people to be holy. "But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct." (1 Peter 1:15) As we walk in holiness we please God because He is glorious in Holiness. "Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders?" (Exodus 15:11) Our life should never be lived to please men, but should always be lived to please God.

    Live a holy life because sin must be avoided. In the holy walk God's people must avoid sexual immorality. This includes any sexual uncleanness. All that is contrary to the purity of heart, tongue and life expressed in the gospel is in opposition to the "walk in holiness." Your sanctification to "the will of God" demands holiness. God called you to be holy. "For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness." (1 Thessalonians 4:7) God requires purity of both body and soul. A body set apart for God's service must be kept pure. The body is the vessel in which our soul lives. What is done in this body either honors or dishonors God. The things done in the body will be matters of judgment. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:10) Those who reject Bible teaching on purity of life are not rejecting men, but they are rejecting God! "Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit." (1 Thessalonians 4:8) The Holy Spirit has been given to help us live above the world. Let us show the fruit of the Spirit to the world. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23)

    Live a holy life because Christians who do not control their lusts and passions are living like the heathen. "That each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God." (1 Thessalonians 4:4-5) Those who do not know the will of God are controlled by all kinds of uncleanness. It should not be so among the children of God. Christians should not live like unconverted Gentiles! Sin will not go unpunished. You should not "take advantage of and defraud your brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness." (1 Thessalonians 4:6-7) The sin of sexual uncleanness will be punished by God! "Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge." (Hebrews 13:4)

     Let us become a Christian now! As a Christian let us live a holy life! (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8) Are you in Christ?  Have you heard the gospel (Romans 10:17), believed in Christ (John 8:24), repented of sins (Acts 17:30-31), confessed your faith in Christ (Matthew 10:32-33) and been baptized into Christ for remission of sins? “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38) Are you faithful in Christ? Are you living “as” you should for Christ? Heavenly hope belongs only to those that live "as" God intends. If you are willing to serve God “as” you should, you will, one day, “Receive the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:9)

- - - - Charles Box

News & Notes

1. Prayer List: In Need of Prayer: LeRoy Boutwell, Dannie Box, Mary Ann Bozeman, Brenda Burkett, Edwina Butts, Terry Claunch, Camren Coleman, Tim Croley, John Curry, Syble Farmer, Marietta Faulkenberry, Dawn Fullington’s cousin Jason, Ann Jackson, Sonny Johnson, Felice Kendrick, Patricia Kennemore, Ed Klash, Peggy Lassiter, Arthur Little, Kathy Mathis, Annie McKee, Jeff Miller, Dot Mosley, Robert Mosley, Jane Owen, Candice Parker, Dawson Parker,  LeAnn Parker (sister of Vickie Clark), Elizabeth Perdue, Tina Pouncey, Brian Queener, Lydia Ann Raybon, Becky Reynolds, John Reynolds, Billy Rodgers, Rosie Rudolph, Caleb Sam, Ron Seal, Carlos & Nell Shanklin, Nathan Simmons, Liz Singleton Martha Skipper, Vickie Starkie, Sarah Stidham, Robbie Taylor, John Tindoll, Bobbie Walker, Danny Waller, Leroy Waller, William Ward, Luvella Webb, and Tom Young. Crowne Health Care: Helen Autrey, Dorothy Buck, Jewel Cauthen, Gladys Childs, Arlene Coletrane, Betty Findley, Davis Hester, Kathy Johnson, Sarah Knight, Nelda Sanders and Annie Ruth Tetter.

2. Welcome Home: Denver, Linda, and Terry Reynolds have expressed their desire to again worship and serve with the Walnut Street Church of Christ. Mandy is away in college at this time. Their address is: 6531 Honoraville Road, Greenville, Alabama 36037. Phone: (Home) 334-382-0071, (Denver) 334-398-2891, (Linda) 334-782-5827, (Terry) 334-430-9341.

 3. Developing Strong Families: Jeff Grimes will present three lessons at the Walnut Street Church of Christ on April 21^st to help us develop stronger Christian families. We will have a meal following morning worship. The Bread and Beverage Committee has clean up.

 3. 50^th Anniversary Celebration: The children of Bobby and Mary Lou Terrell ask you to please join then in celebrating the 50^th wedding anniversary of their parents on Saturday, April 27^th from 2:00-4:00 pm at the Walnut Street Church of Christ. No gifts please.

4. Thank You Note: (a) To my Walnut Street Family, Thank you so much for your cards, visits, and food, but most of all your prayers during my illness. The love and kindness you all show is a special gift. I love you all, Becky Reynolds (b) Dear Church Members, I would love to thank everyone for the calls, cards, and food during the time of both of my surgeries on my shoulder. You are such special, Christian people. Ann Jackson

 5. Anniversary: Celebrating an Anniversary this week: April 21^st Gary and Kathy Bozeman, and Bobby and Birdie Godwin, and April 25^th Bruce and Ann Cauthen.

 6. Birthdays: April 24^th Amanda Bagents, April 26^th Bobby Godwin, and April 27^th Gary Leger.

 7. Sign-Up Sheets for Vacation Bible School: June 23^rd – 27^th -- Let’s get an early start by signing up to help now.

 8. Carl Sessions Camp Fund: Please contribute to the “Carl Sessions Camp Fund.” This makes it possible for all Walnut Street Children to attend Bible camp. Make checks to Walnut Street Church of Christ and mark them “Carl Sessions Camp Fund.”  

 9. Be a Daily Bible Reader: It takes about seventy-two hours to read the Bible completely through at an average reading speed. Fill your heart with the word of God daily.

 10. Bring a Visitor: Set your goal to make an honest effort to bring a visitor to the services of the church. There is someone that we can all influence to go to heaven. Let us all join together and win souls for Jesus. “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” (Proverbs 11:30)

 12. Area Events: (a) May 5^th – Homecoming – Eastern Meadows church of Christ – Speaker Levi Sides – Bible Class 9:00 am, Worship 10:00 am and Worship 5:00 pm, and (b) Backwoods Christian Camp -- July 7th-12th. Counselors and Campers are needed. Contact Darrell Powell or Charles Box at 334-382-3001.

Where Knowledge Begins

   Solomon wrote, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7)  Noah possessed such knowledge that he was the only man in the entire world who was able to save his family from God’s wrath, which came to life in the great flood.  What made Noah different? (Heb 11:7)  He was “moved with fear.”  There was no logical reason for Noah to build a great barge-like boat.  It is believed by some scholars that there had never even been a rainstorm up to that point in the world! A knowledge that came by fear separated Noah from the rest of the world.  People in Noah’s day knew some things, but not what it took to save them from the flood. The “knowledge” that is referred to in Proverbs is more than facts and information…it is the knowledge that counts!  And only the fear of the Lord will lead you to that knowledge.

   The fear of the Lord comes in different stages.  First, fear comes as a natural reaction to something that frightens us. Learning of God’s might and wrath for the first time will incite this reaction. Second, fear should become productive.  This fear motivates one to act.  A follower of God will begin to hate evil. (Psa 119:104)  Third, fear causes a person to stand in Awe of God.  This is when we begin to learn that the Lord is compassionate. Hope begins to surface!  The fourth stage is reverent fear.  At this stage, we have established a relationship with God.  We have made God the ruler of our lives, submitting completely to His will. 

(Adapted from “Wisdom’s Call” by: Drew Kizer)

   Sometimes you will hear of people’s fear “paralyzing” them and hindering them from functioning properly.  This reaction is not what God intends our righteous fear of Him cause.  He wants us to be like those whose fear starts the adrenaline flowing and triggers swift, deliberate action.  Our fear of the Lord should be a productive fear that stimulates awe and reverence for the almighty, loving God!  Make sure that your “knowledge” starts where it should, with a healthy fear of God.

----Darrell Powell