1 Thessalonians 3:7 - Invitation to Holiness NOT Immorality.

1Th3:7: Invitation to Holiness NOT Immorality.

1 Th 4:7 (KJV)  For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but
unto holiness.

1 Th 4:7 (NJB)  God called us to be holy, not to be immoral;

1 Th 4:7 (NCV)  God called us to be holy and does not want us to
live in sin.

CONTEXT

4:3-8 The Bible paints a clear picture of what God wants us to
be like. Here we are given a list of characteristics we will
exemplify if we are following God's will. This positive list is then
followed by a list of things we should not be involved in. Passages like
this can serve as a measuring stick for us... If we don't measure up
to God's ideals, we can admit our failures to him and allow him to
help us change. As we entrust our life to him, we will begin to see
the positive characteristics growing in our life. [Life Recovery
SB]

KEY TEXT WITH EMPHASIS

Here is the objective of God's call: that his people would
reflect his own holiness and so be fitting and suitable as his servants
and people. [College Press NIV Commentary]

COMMENTARY

    Our daily expression of holiness is a reflection of our
faith in Christ.  If we have no desire to be holy, we should seriously
question the genuineness of our faith in the Lord Jesus.
    Christ not only died to save us from the punishment for our
sins, but also from slavery to sin in this worldly culture.  To
continue to live in sin as a Christian is contradictory to the most basic
meaning of Christianity.  Christ died to save us from our sins, not to
let us remain in our sins (Mat.1:21; 1Jo.1:6,7).  What kind of
person would want to follow Christ and not desire to live a holy
life?...
    Holiness, then, is not an option for the believer.  Paul
wrote to Titus, "For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation
of all men, training us to renounce irreligious and worldly
passions, and to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world"
(Tit.2:11,12).  Though holiness is not a condition for salvation, it is the
natural consequence of salvation.  We do not become holy in order to be
saved, but because we are saved.  We do not do good works to get to
heaven, but because heaven has already come into our hearts.
    To trust Christ for salvation is to trust him for holiness.
If there is no desire for holiness within, then it is doubtful that
the Holy Spirit has come to dwell within.  The Holy Spirit does not
save us without giving us the desire to live a holy life.  [Floyd
McClung; Time with God devotional SB]