What Do Men Despise?

I Thessalonians 4:7-8 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

What is man despising? In the context of the verse, he that despises is despising the holiness of God which in effect is the despising of God. Therefore, when the preacher preaches against sin in favor of a life of holiness those who are opposed to such preaching are not in opposition to a mere man, but rather, oppose God and are the just subjects of His wrath. The Apostle further adds that we have been given the Holy Spirit of God. He does this to encourage us not to despise holiness but rather to embrace it. John Calvin notes of three reasons why the Apostle would include this additional thought concerning the Holy Spirit: to show that holiness comes from God, that there is a difference between holiness and uncleanness and finally that we should reject uncleanness because we have the HOLY Spirit of God and failure to depart from uncleanness will result in the chastisement of God against us. Without the help of the Holy Spirit we are unable to discern uncleanness from holiness and therefore choose uncleanness and live under the wrath of the one true and living God. To receive the Holy Spirit we must be regenerated, that is born again. Have you repented of your sin and place your faith and trust in Jesus Christ for the saving of your soul? Apart from Christ we have no hope and no discernment and will by nature choose to live a life of uncleanness and depravity. Thinking ourselves to be wise, yet we will be fools.