Saturday, March 7, 2015

For what purpose were the Thessalonians called? 540 - 7 - 1

Matthew 22:14, “For many are called, but few are chosen.” A man was not chosen as he had no wedding garment and was therefore cast into outer darkness. The Church is called to be a separate people called out of darkness and into light.
2 Corinthians 6:17, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”
1 Peter 2:9, "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light"
1 Thessalonians 2:12, “That ye would walk worthy (G516) of God, who hath called (G2564) you unto His Kingdom and glory.”
G516 - after a godly sort, worthily.
G2564 - to “call” (properly aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)
1 Thessalonians 4:7, “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness (G167), but unto holiness (G38).”
G167 - impurity (the quality), physically or morally: - uncleanness.
G38 - properly purification, that is, (the state) purity; concretely (by Hebraism) a purifier: - holiness, sanctification.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”
The Thessalonians are, as are all believers, the temple of the Holy Ghost and therefore called to be discerning, glorify God, lead a purified life and more.
2 Thessalonians 2:13, “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:”
Believers are, or course, justified so now to work out sanctification.
2 Thessalonians 2:14-15, “Where-unto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.”
This quote from e-sword is insightful when considering the responsibilities of the called, “It is required of those who have professed Christianity that they live according to the precepts of the Gospel, that they be not accounted disorderly persons devoid of the divine love and hope which they profess. If Christ is allowed to direct our love upon Himself, it will rectify all our affections toward men and keep us in the attitude of expectation of His momentary coming.”

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