"This is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to possess his own body in holiness and honor." [1 Thes. 4:3-4]
Confronting sexual immorality, the Apostle instructs believers to "possess" their bodies, that is, to control their natural appetites in a way that is "holy and honorable." Although the word, "possess", conjures images of rigid force, the paradox of Christian self-control is that one does not control himself by exerting raw natural discipline, as ascetics do, but by reclining in the promises of the Spirit to work presently and supernaturally; to supersede fleshly desires with the superior desire to glorify God by humble, willing obedience. We control ourselves then, by ceding the power of possession to Him who purchased and presently empowers us for sanctification.
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© Michael Spotts:. 2011
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You are permitted to reproduce and distribute this article in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and that you do not charge any fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For printed copies, as well as web posting, please include the following statement:
By M. Benjamin Spotts:.
Copyright © The Open Life
www.theopenlife.com
Titus 3:3-8
© Michael Spotts:. 2011
———————
You are permitted to reproduce and distribute this article in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and that you do not charge any fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For printed copies, as well as web posting, please include the following statement:
By M. Benjamin Spotts:.
Copyright © The Open Life
www.theopenlife.com
Titus 3:3-8
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