On Godly Behavior
Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.
1 THESSALONIANS 4:1
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On Godly Behavior
In this Epistle lesson, you see that the apostle writes nothing about faith, but rather about godly behavior in good works toward our own person and toward our neighbor. . .. As a proper apostle and preacher, [Paul] exhorts the [Thessalonians] concerning their calling, that they should consider that they have been baptized and acknowledge that they have received great grace and mercy from the Lord, who has redeemed them, not that they might live wantonly, but rather that they should be dead to sin and live honorably. For this reason he speaks in such a pleasant manner, beseeching and exhorting, not merely [on his own authority] but in the name of the Lord. "Know then," [he says], "what [Christ], who has liberated you from death, should mean to you: He is called the Savior, who has liberated His people from sin to righteousness. Therefore, Christians should not remain in sin but be intent on living in chastity and holiness, with kindness toward their neighbor."
From Sermon for Lent 2 on 1 Thessalonians 4:1-7 (Luther's Works 58:20)
1 THESSALONIANS 4:1
+
On Godly Behavior
In this Epistle lesson, you see that the apostle writes nothing about faith, but rather about godly behavior in good works toward our own person and toward our neighbor. . .. As a proper apostle and preacher, [Paul] exhorts the [Thessalonians] concerning their calling, that they should consider that they have been baptized and acknowledge that they have received great grace and mercy from the Lord, who has redeemed them, not that they might live wantonly, but rather that they should be dead to sin and live honorably. For this reason he speaks in such a pleasant manner, beseeching and exhorting, not merely [on his own authority] but in the name of the Lord. "Know then," [he says], "what [Christ], who has liberated you from death, should mean to you: He is called the Savior, who has liberated His people from sin to righteousness. Therefore, Christians should not remain in sin but be intent on living in chastity and holiness, with kindness toward their neighbor."
From Sermon for Lent 2 on 1 Thessalonians 4:1-7 (Luther's Works 58:20)
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