Brothers and sisters, we earnestly ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that, as you received from us how you should conduct yourselves to please God - and as you are conducting yourselves - you do even more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. This is the will of God, your holiness; that you refrain from immorality, that each of you know how to acquire a wife for himself in holiness and honor, not lustful passion as do the Gentiles who do not know God; not to take advantage of or exploit a brother or sister in this matter, for the Lord is an avenger in all of these things, as we told you before and solemnly affirmed. For God did not call us to impurity but to holiness. Therefore, whoever disregards this, disregards not a human being, but God, who also gives his Holy Spirit to you.
Consideration: This powerful reading from Saint Paul is as relevant today as it was two thousand years ago. The message is clear: refrain from immorality. Vice is a cross that all of mankind has to deal with. We have two choices; to give into our lustful passions that are offensive to God; or to refrain from them. The Lord told us that unless we are willing to take up our crosses on a daily basis; we are not worthy of him. It is up to us to choose...refrain from sin and please him; or give to in to sin. Pray always for the Holy Spirit to guide and protect us always. Amen.
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