How firm a foundation, he saints of the Lord is laid for your faith in his excellent word.

Welcome to Through the Bible.

I'm your host Steve Sweats, and I'm glad that you've joined us for another important study in 1st Thessalonians chapter 3 beginning at verse 13.

Dr. J. Vernon McGee begins this study with a word on personal holiness, so let's listen and take it to heart.

In this day of permissiveness, sex has become a household word.

It's led to an almost total breakdown of morals Christians feel today they can

engage in that which they did not even discuss in former days. The home has been affected and it's also been infected with this

virus of vice. What was the dribble of letters to us in this radio ministry relative to

the home and divorce and adultery now has become a flood. What is happening to the lifestyle of

Christians in America today is indeed alarming.

To illustrate his point, Dr. McGee recorded a response to a letter we once received from a

widow who had raised her three children after the death of her husband by suicide. Here's an excerpt from that letter.

Thank you for the many hours of inspiration and redirection you have given me.

I've been traveling through the Bible with other travelers and on my own all my life at least as far back as I can

remember. You raise hard questions which have always been a stumbling block to me

since I cannot remain chased. I tried chastity for three years but I've not been led into a

relationship which would be for me a good marriage. I'm hoping and praying that a

loving Father God will forgive my apparent disobedience for I did try the way of no fornication.

I've been an active deacon in my church for four years and been a leader of a single adult group

in the church for six. Life seems to be a series of attempts at perfection

in which I fall short, in spite of the best motivation, commitment, and willingness to submit

to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It's cold comfort that all

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