I Thessalonians 4

The Word here "exhorts" us to "excel still more" in walking in ways that please God.. having received the instructions, the commandments given "by the authority of the Lord Jesus".
This is God's will for us, Paul writes, " your sanctification". 

 Specifically, Paul says, " abstain from sexual immorality... possess your own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God" ( v3-5)  Adding,  that "no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter... For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification." 

Paul also urges the believers to "excel still more"  in loving one another.  They are doing well in that area, for God Himself is teaching them to love one another,  but the urgency to keep excelling is Paul's heart for them.

Thirdly, Paul writes, "make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you; so that you may behave properly toward outsiders and not be in need."  ( v11-12)

God's desire for us is our sanctification - holiness: physically, emotionally, and economically.

To please the Lord, then, we must "possess" our own "vessel".  The word vessel is actually talking about equipment or goods - or a wife!  But, the same word is used in II Timothy 2: 20-21 where Paul says that there are vessels of honor and dishonor in a household...and a man who is cleansed of wickedness, "will be a vessel of honor, sanctified, useful for the Master, prepared for every good work".  To possess means to own it.  It is more than just self -control, although that is a very important part of it, we are commanded to take the work of purifying our lives very seriously.  To become pure so that we are vessels of honor.  Then we are "useful for the Master"!

We are sanctified, purified in our hearts, as we excel in loving one another.  Love that abounds more and more is the request that Paul most often prays for his churches.  This is absolutely vital in our walk if we want to please the Lord.

We are also to live set apart, or pure, lives, economically  - quietly taking care of our families, making a living by honest work,  not dependent on others (outsiders).

Father in heaven, thank You for providing these simple yet profound instructions for a life that pleases You.  May we excel more and more in purity, love, and honest living.  May we please You in all we do.  Sanctify us entirely, preserving us completely, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus.  We praise You, Lord, that You are faithful, for as You have called us to sanctification, You will also bring it to pass. Amen!