Our Venerable Father Joannicius the Great; The Holy Martyr Nicander, Bishop of Myra. The Holy Hermas, Priest.
1 Thessalonians 4:1-12; Luke 11:42-46.
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
One theme that stands out in today’s reading is sanctification. St. Paul reminds the Thessalonians: “For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness” (v. 7).
Throughout this passage, Paul offers practical instructions on how Christians ought to live. He speaks about purity, self-control, brotherly love, and even the importance of working honestly and minding one’s own affairs. These may seem like ordinary matters, but Paul connects them to something much greater: our calling to holiness.
Sanctification is not simply about avoiding sin; it is about allowing God’s grace to transform every aspect of our lives. In the Eastern Christian tradition, this is closely connected to theosis, our ongoing participation in the divine life.
St. John Chrysostom, commenting on this passage, teaches that turning away from evil is not enough; we must also actively pursue virtue.
Sometimes in confession, people begin by listing the sins they have not committed: “I haven’t killed anyone, I haven’t stolen anything, I haven’t done anything terribly wrong.” Certainly, avoiding evil matters. But holiness cannot be measured only by what we have refrained from doing.
The question is not only, “What evil have I avoided?” but also, “What good have I failed to do?” Have I loved, forgiven, served, and helped those in need?
This is why Paul encourages the Thessalonians, who are already practicing brotherly love, to do so “more and more.”
God calls us not merely to avoid evil or to be good people, but to grow in holiness and become more like Christ.