Holy Living and the Second Coming
1 Thessalonians 5:8-11, 22-24; 2 Peter 3:10-14; 1 John 3:1-3
by David Woods
Read "Introduction", p. 59.
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:8-11
Discussion: What does it mean for the Christian to be "of the day"? What are the implications of this?
Discussion: How is faith and love like a breastplate?
As the verse comments notes, it probably isn't essential to get into a detailed discussion of the differences between the Christians' "armor" in Ephesians and 1 Thessalonians. However, I do think it is interesting to note that the helmet is basically the same in both passages. In Ephesians, it is called "the helmet of salvation." In 1 Thessalonians the helmet is called the "hope of salvation."
Discussion: What might this indicate to us about the importance of our hope of and profession of salvation?
Discussion: Why does a call to be sober lead us to a renewed emphasis of faith, love, and hope?
Discussion: What misconceptions about God and the end times might verse nine clear up?
As I study this lesson, verse ten grabbed hold of my attention. We know that we live with Christ daily. We know that we will live with Christ in eternity. We know this intellectually, but I'm afraid it is easy to lose sight of this truth experientially, on a day-to-day basis.
Discussion: How can our church follow the command to comfort and edify one another practically on a week-to-week and even day-to-day basis?
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:22-24
Often verse twenty-two has been applied to mean that anything that even hints of being evil should be avoided. The Greek word translated "appearance" can also be translated "form." In other words, all sin should be avoided. The distinction may be minute, but it is important. Instead of saying that we should avoid anything that might be construed as evil (of which this understanding often leads to all sorts of rules to regulate behavior), this verse is saying that we should avoid all kinds of sin (which attitude should be de facto for the sincere Christian).
This is not suggesting we can or should have a lax attitude toward sin. The verse comments note that the word "abstain" is a very strong word meaning "to hold oneself away from" (p. 60). Let us be careful to avoid sin "like the plague", but let us also not be bound up by unnecessary rules and regulations.
Discussion: What does the context of verse twenty-three suggest as to why the believer needs to be entirely sanctified?
Discussion: What does it mean, "to be kept blameless"?
(Without any sin - committed or inbred)
God has promised that our nature may be cleansed of that inclination to sin with which we were born. God has promised to preserve us blameless. The question is, will we trust Him to do it?
Read 2 Peter 3:10-14
Discussion: Let us answer verse eleven. What kind of people should we be?
(Don't settle with answers like "holy" or "godly." Instead, define what it means to be holy and godly.)
The "Introduction" to this lesson notes some common problems in the Church in regards to end times, including fear, opportunism, and perfectionism (of the understanding of end-times events).
Discussion: How should our attitudes toward Christ's return be changed, according to verse twelve?
Discussion: What does the description of the new heaven and new earth imply concerning the people who will inhabit that world? What are the implications then for the need of holiness?
Discussion: What are some ways our church can encourage its members to be diligent?
Read 1 John 3:1-3
Note that verse one talks about the privilege of believers. We are called "the sons of God." Verse two contains a two-fold promise for believers - "we shall be like him" and "we shall see him as he is." Verse three then contains the pursuit of the believer - "every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself...."
Big Idea: "Belief in Christ's imminent coming is the secret of holiness" (Pertinent Principles, p. 58)
Discussion: What does this statement mean? How can we apply this principle in our church's life (teaching, preaching, fellowship, etc.)?