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A GODLESS LIFE
LORD’S DAY, NOVEMBER 16
1 Thessalonians 4:5

2 Peter 2:10-22

 

“Not… as the Gentiles

which know not God.”

 

A GODLESS LIFE
 
1 Thessalonians 4:5 is the second part of a sentence that began in verse 4. It elaborates on what the will of God is – that we must know how to possess the vessel of our body well – in sanctification and honour, and not in the lust of concupiscence like the godless Gentiles.
 
The phrase “lust of concupiscence” literally describes the passions of one’s unbridled or uncontrolled desires. The Greek word for “lust” is elsewhere translated as inordinate affection (Col 3:5) or vile affections (Rom 1:26), while the Greek word translated as “concupiscence” simply refers to strong desire, often that of a sexual nature (as it clearly is in the context of this verse). The King James translators rightly translated this phrase to describe one’s deviant, sinful immoral desires. One who possesses his vessel in the lust of concupiscence then is someone who freely gives in to such desires, living an unchecked life of lusts and debauchery. He is not in control of himself, but rather allow his passions and desires to take the reins and control him.
 
Such a life is characteristic of those who do not know God. They do not have the Word of God to guide them, nor the Holy Spirit in them to guide them into all truth. They have no concern about what is morally right in the eyes of God. They are led by their own seared conscience and freely indulge in whatever their passions dictate. There is no desire for purity or sanctification in their lives. Rather, their gods are their sinful lusts, and they do whatever feels right in their own eyes. They live the life of vanity that Solomon once had: “And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy” (Eccles 2:10).
 
While such a life may seem attractive on the surface, we know that it is a life without God. In the end, it is nothing but misery and vanity. All they know is but one fleeting carnal experience after another. They have no assurance of eternity, neither do they have peace in this life. They live aimless, purposeless lives. They do not know God.
 
THOUGHT: Ignorance is not always bliss.
PRAYER: Father, I thank Thee for the privilege of knowing Thee, and having the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

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