Interestingly, the scripture states: "I charge you by the Lord that THIS epistle be read unto all the holy brethren." (I Thessalonians 5:27) The scriptures here do not suggest that we promote our "own" words or our "own" thoughts in our communications, but rather His Word that brings life to unbelieving souls. In other words, the apostles preached the gospel of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ, and encouraged us to continually do likewise. But the apostles took this understanding further.
"For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us, ye received not the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God which effectually worketh also in you that believe." (I Thessalonians 2:13)
Note that I omitted the "added" words to the scripture (citing the KJV), so that the original intent of the message could be retained. Read that latter part of the verse again -- "When ye received the Word of God ... ye received NOT the word of men."
Think about this for a moment. The scriptures do not instruct us to subscribe to the wisdom that comes from both men and God, but rather, to receive the Word of God only, so that when we do, the Word of God will effectually work in us. And who is the Word? According to John 1:1-18, the Word is JESUS -- the prophesied Christ.
"Furthermore, then we beseech you brethren, and exhort by the Lord Jesus that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus -- for this is the will of God -- "your" sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication -- that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour, not in the lust of concupiscence ..." (I Thessalonians 4:1-5)
The word 'concupiscence' is unique. To the best of my knowledge, it is only used three times in the scriptures. (Romans 7:8; Colossians 3:5; I Thessalonians 4:5) The Webster's Dictionary defines concupiscence as "a strong or abnormal desire or appetite; especially a sexual desire or lust."
If we consider concupiscence from the perspective of the first part of the Webster Dictionary definition -- "a strong or abnormal desire or appetite" -- we can see how the religious culture of this day is changing the stakes. replacing the Word of the Lord with the own fine-sounding words of their chosen representatives, and encouraging believers to "like" their wording, rather than proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ that set us free. This includes numerous individuals who profess themselves to be proclaimers of the gospel.
Still, our understanding (and the clarity) comes from knowing what the Word actually states. Why? "Behold the days come," saith the Lord, "that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord ... and they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the Word of the Lord, and shall not find it." (Amos 8:12-13)
Let us not move into a day of famine. Instead, '' as the children of the light, and the children of the day, let us not sleep as others, but let us watch and be sober, for they that sleep, sleep in the night, and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
"But let us who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet the hope of salvation -- for God has not appointed us to wrath but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that ... we should live together with Him." (I Thessalonians 5:6-10)
But let's remember too, as the apostles wrote, "For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile; but as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness. Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor of others ..." (I Thessalonians 2:3-6)
Stand in the offering plate.
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