Do Good Live Right

"God did not call us to be impure but to live a holy life."  1 Thessalonians 4:7

It's my life...

That's what people all around us seem to say. It's my life and I can do whatever I want...

• as long as it doesn't hurt anybody
• as long as I don't get caught
• because I have wealth, fame or power
• because I'm an adult
• because...

But is it true?

We do all get to make choices. And, all of us just get one life to live. Since it is my life, I want to do good and live my life right. But, what is living right?

I believe that God wants us to live in such a way that we stand out. Not based on bad or flamboyant behavior but rather on an honorable and holy life. He calls us to live holy. His kind of holy isn't "holier than thou" or hypocritical - nope that would just be bad behavior.

Live holy

What does this kind of holy look like? It stands out because it's set apart - not separate from people but set apart to God. Set apart to God means doing and living as he directs. So what does God say about how to do good and live right?

The Apostle Paul interprets it for us. He writes to the Thessalonians that this type of life means not being given to lust, jealousy, fits of rage, slander, greed or sexual immorality.  It keeps from wronging others or taking advantage of them. It's a pure life without being judgmental or exclusive. 

Sounds phony?

It's easy to assume that the only way to get there is to fake it. After all, who can keep from doing all those things? It seems that daily, we're bombarded with news about leaders and celebrities failing publicly at these very things. Tiger Woods is just the latest example. Is it really possible to live a holy life?

Be real

Well, luckily it's not about being perfect - or pretending to be perfect - but rather intentionally living for God and putting him first.  Doing good and living right requires us to be real - with God, with ourselves and with others. We can only live a holy life when it flows out of our relationship with him. That's when we are changed and will live a life that pleases God.

The final remarks are sobering:

"He who rejects this instruction - to live holy - does not reject man but God, who gives you His Holy Spirit."

1 Thessalonians 4:8