“Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more.” (1 Thessalonians 4:9-10)
Enough about sex; let’s talk about love. On second thought, let’s not, Paul said to these mostly newish Christians. You don’t need it. You’re already awesome at it because God already showed you how to do give yourself away to your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Sexual purity is not the most important thing. Not by far. Paul repeatedly wrote to Christians around the world that the greatest virtue is love – the kind of love God showed when he sent his Son to die for his enemies. (Us.) Sexual purity matters because it’s one way we obey God. Love is essential because it’s how we imitate Him.
I’m sad to say I’ve known churches exactly the opposite of these Thessalonians – groups of Christians excellent at not having sex outside of marriage but not so great at loving each other (or even liking each other much, really).
Think: Which do you think is valued more in your church – sexual purity or Christlike love for other Christians? How are the two related?
Pray: Ask God to keep teaching you how to love as he does and to help you do so more and more.
Do: Why not read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 again?