"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
They are simply stated, enduring qualities of the follower of Christ - unending rejoicing, prayer, and thankfulness. This is what God wills for us in Christ, pure and simple. Nothing is stated here about God’s will in terms of vocation or location; only that these qualities ever characterize our lives.
Rejoicing need not be confused with perpetual happiness. The idea of rejoicing is delighting in God’s grace. We can bask in God’s goodness through Christ while enduring an especially difficult trial. Rejoicing is an abiding optimism based on the fact of God’s promises.
Unceasing prayer is a mindset more than a posture. None of us can perpetually pray with heads bowed and eyes closed, but we can maintain a mental state of communication with our Father.
We are called to ever be thankful amidst circumstances. Some have confused this directive to mean that we ought to be thankful FOR our circumstances. It is clarifying to know that we are called to ever remain thankful for God’s abundant goodness and grace, regardless of how distressing our situation may be at present.
The Church at Thessalonica, to which Paul addressed this important letter, had a distorted view regarding how to live in response to the fact of the return of Jesus. Their belief in his soon return led many to abandon employment, shirk daily responsibilities, and idly look with expectation of Christ’s return. Paul clarified that Second Coming hope should result in diligent attention to daily responsibility rather than slothful neglect.
God’s will for us is ongoing rejoicing, prayer, and thankfulness as we await the return of His Son. It’s that simple. A lifestyle today of service, outreach, and holiness is the most fitting response to the motivating hope of tomorrow.
©Steve Taylor, 2023 --Used by permission
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