Uncleanness Is Not Our Calling

“For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.” (1Th 4:7 AV)

No explanation is needed here.  However, the context is the motive for the statement.  Paul is speaking of the rapture of the church.  There is a sense of preparedness to it.  In the light of the eminent rapture of the church, we should live holy because we will soon meet Jesus face to face. But this morning, the Spirit is leading us to consider another motive here.  Note the small word ‘called’.  It is an interesting word.  The word implies purpose.  That is, a purpose for our existence.  This purpose of holiness is not limited to the saints.  God has called all men everywhere to live in holiness.  Regardless of their choice to accept Christ or not, the LORD expects all mankind to live in obedience to His word.  No exceptions.  Those who do not will suffer the wrath of God mentioned in this same book.  For the Christian, there is another level of calling here.  A calling as opposed to those who are called, but do not accept that calling.  This calling of holiness is one of distinction.  Otherwise, the word ‘uncleanness’ would not be in the verse.  This calling is a calling to be like Christ as opposed to those who are not willing to be like Jesus.  This calling, again, is a life purpose for all those who have trusted in Christ.

I grew up in a mid-size city in western N.Y.  It was a city along the Erie Barge Canal.  This city was an Irish Catholic city and was very Catholic.  Most children went to the Catholic school system.  This meant most people knew one another because their kids attended the same school.  My father taught in the High School so we kids could go to school rather cheaply.  My father was known as a man of integrity and honesty.  He had a higher moral standard than most.  He didn’t drink.  He didn’t carouse around with pals.  The wildest thing he did was meet with another couple to play Pinnacle.  He took his family to church every week.  We served in the church in music ministry.  All the boys served as altar boys.  My father demanded of his children obedience and an impeccable life in the public eye. Everyone in town knew who we were. We could not go anywhere without someone asking if we were Paul’s son or daughter.  With that recognition came a certain expectation of behavior.  The public would tolerate misbehavior from most other children, but not Paul’s.  When we acted out, the public was shocked.  “You are a Gerwitz”, they would say.  “We wouldn’t expect that from you.”  The same was true of my three boys.  They were pastor’s kids.  Surely, they would be expected to live above the fray.  We were supposed to live differently.  We were supposed to be good children who behaved and served the public.

In the same way, every saint is called to holiness.  Note also there are only two directions here.  There is either holiness or uncleanness.  There is no neutral ground here.  It is either right or wrong.  It is either God-honoring or God-defaming.  There is no ‘other’ choice.  We are called to be like Christ.  That is our calling.  We are not called to be anything else.  This calling is in force from the day we were conceived to the last day of eternity.  There is no other option.  Paul is reminding us of an inescapable truth.  There is no escape clause.  There is no opt-out.  We are called to be like Jesus Christ and nothing will change that.  If we are not like Jesus Christ, we are failing in what God designed us to be.  Paul reminds us here.  He doesn’t challenge us.  He tells us we have no choice and we need to buck up and accept it regardless of what it might mean.  We are not called to uncleanness. We are called to holiness.