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Praying 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 – Facebook Religion
Facebook Religion (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5) Praying God’s Way to Healthy Growing Communities
TEXT: “For this is God’s will, your sanctification: that you keep away from sexual immorality, that each of you knows how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not with lustful passions, like the Gentiles, who don’t know God.” (CSB’17 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5)
DEVOTIONAL: Facebook has made common a new phenomenon – “Friends” you don’t know and never meet. Accepting these new “friends” is often based on mutual “friends”, most of whom you likewise have never met nor know. Those “friends” were accepted because of a mutual “friend” you do know. Facebook “friends” exist based upon a 3 or 4 “generations” of “friends “. This modern phenomenon however is not really new. It already existed though in a different form.
1. How many are “Christians” because someone they know, knows God? That sounds appropriate, but they “accept” Jesus based upon knowing their friends; not getting to know God. This describes too many children of Christians.
2. How many are “Christians” because they want to be “friends” with other Christians? Problem here is church is more social than spiritual.
3. How many “Christians” can claim they are “friends” with God, but like many Facebook “friends”, it is better described as “acquaintances”? This third group is where too many, including myself, fall. And “fall” we do.
Knowing God according to 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 leads to sanctification, that is holiness. Holiness is an attribute of God. Knowing God changes us into becoming more like God because He has revealed His will. The better we know, the greater our change. More on this next week. In the meantime, check on your “friend” status with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
PRAYER: You are holy, God. I sing it, say it, believe it, but too often don’t live it. I know Your will, but too often I want to know sin more intimately than I know You. I repent and plea for a closer friendship. Amen.
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