Chapter 4

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 - This verse is for people who think that once the righteousness of Christ is imputed to us (i.e., placed upon us), there is no accounting for any personal holiness on the human part. The Scripture clearly says that God has called us not for impurity but for holiness. This holiness is personal and lived out in one's daily life. In context, Paul speaks in vs. 6 about defrauding a brother. Then he says, "Don't be unclean. Be holy." What else can he mean other than that we should be holy in our daily lives? There is nothing in context that would suggest the righteousness of Christ is our holiness. This may be true in other verses, but in this context, Paul speaks of personal holiness.

Paul reinforces his point even more strongly by verse 8. There is a coordinating conjunction that begins this verse meaning "for this reason" or "consequently" (NASB). The employment of a coordinating conjunction links the former with the latter. Paul says that if anyone rejects personal holiness, he or she is rejecting not man's doctrine but the Holy Spirit. The word reject can also mean "set aside" or "nullify." In either respect, the consequence is the same. The person does not practice personal holiness. What happens when a person rejects God? God rejects him.