So many Christians wonder, “What is God’s will for my life?” Well, in 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul gave us a clear outline of God’s will for His children. First, God wants us to be holy. He has set us apart, so that we would be self-controlled, sexually pure, and live like we truly know God (1 Thess. 4:3-5). Regardless of what the world tells us about what we can or should do with our bodies, Paul was clear that to disregard these instructions is to ignore God Himself.

Not only should we be growing in holiness, we should also be growing in love (1 Thess. 4:9-10). Even if we are doing well, like the Thessalonians, there is always room for growth. Unfortunately, it seems like those who are serious about holiness can sometimes be rather unloving, and those who are serious about love can be careless about holiness. This pleases Satan, but it certainly does not please God. May we be a people who are committed to both holiness and love. This is God’s will for you.

Is your tendency to emphasize holiness or love? How can you grow in the area where you are weaker?