20 Dec January 27th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S FIRST LETTER TO THE  CHURCH AT THESSALONICA

 SANCTIFICATION CONTINUED –

LEARN TO CONTROL YOUR OWN BODY

1 Thessalonians 4:3-6 “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. . .”

Sex sells!  According to a very cursory look via Google, it appears that billions and billions of dollars are spent annually by American consumers in the sex economy.  Yes, that is how it is referred to in the various websites.

The Small Catechism discusses your sexuality in this way.  Question 55 asks, “How do we lead a sexually pure and decent life?”  The answer given is, We lead a sexually pure and decent life when we consider sexuality to be a good gift of God; honor marriage as God’s institution, the lifelong union of one man and one woman; reserve sexual intercourse for the marriage partner alone; and, control sexual urges in a God-pleasing way.  God forbids divorce except for marital unfaithfulness (adultery or desertion.); sexual intercourse between unmarried persons; sexual sins such as rape, homosexual activity, incest, sexual chld abuse, obscenity and the use of pornographic materials; and, impure thoughts and desires . . . God requires us to avoid all temptations to sexual sin; be clean in what we think and say; use our sexuality in ways pleasing to Him . . . that married people love, honor and respect each other (that God created marriage so that) the wife is the husband’s helper and the husband is the wife’s head.”  (Small Catechism, pages 81-85)

Philippians 4:8 exhorts, “ . . . whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”  Remember, “. . . you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God. . .You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.  So glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Prayer:  Lord, keep me sexually pure using Your gift of sexuality to Your honor and glory for Jesus’ sake.  Amen.

Lord, help us ever to retain The Catechism’s doctrine plain

As Luther taught the Word of truth In simple style to tender youth.

Help us Your holy Law to learn, To mourn our sin and from it turn

In faith to You and to Your Son And Holy spirit, Three in One.

Hear us, dear Father, when we pray

For needed help from day to day

That as Your children we may live,

Whom You baptized and so received.

Lord, when we fall or go astray, Absolve and lift us up, we pray;

And through thee Sacrament increase

Our faith till we depart in peace.

(LSB 865)