Three Things
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18
What should a Christian do always? What should a Christian do without ceasing? What should a Christian do in every circumstance? Our verses for today give us three items the Apostle Paul believes should be constants of the Christian life.
First of all, we should rejoice always. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Christians have been baptized with the Holy Spirit and have joy as part of the package. It is required by us to allow this joy to manifest in our lives even when we don't feel like it. If Apostle Paul who suffered much can write this and be joyful, then we can also be. It signifies the importance of acknowledging that we have Christ in us, not as per the world.
Second, we should pray without ceasing. This does not mean we should give up every activity other than prayer, but that we should maintain a close personal relationship to God. The lines of communication to the Father in heaven should always remain open and we should feel free to share the thoughts, cares, concerns, and desires of our heart with God at any time. God wants us to maintain our relationship to Him. What he doesn't want is for us to go our own way apart from Him.
Finally, we should give thanks in all circumstances. The person who is willing to give thanks in all circumstances is the person who takes Romans 8:28 seriously: "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose." There are plenty of examples in the Bible of people whose trials, troubles, and tribulations were the very means by which God could use them in mighty ways. Joseph's imprisonment in Egypt, for example, was the vehicle for his elevation to being second only to Pharaoh. One cannot give thanks in all circumstances unless they truly believe that God is working for the good in all things.
These three things are the very Will of God for us. Let us be full of joy and thanksgiving and let us pray without ceasing and Mark 3:35 says we become the Lord's brothers and sisters.
First of all, we should rejoice always. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Christians have been baptized with the Holy Spirit and have joy as part of the package. It is required by us to allow this joy to manifest in our lives even when we don't feel like it. If Apostle Paul who suffered much can write this and be joyful, then we can also be. It signifies the importance of acknowledging that we have Christ in us, not as per the world.
Second, we should pray without ceasing. This does not mean we should give up every activity other than prayer, but that we should maintain a close personal relationship to God. The lines of communication to the Father in heaven should always remain open and we should feel free to share the thoughts, cares, concerns, and desires of our heart with God at any time. God wants us to maintain our relationship to Him. What he doesn't want is for us to go our own way apart from Him.
Finally, we should give thanks in all circumstances. The person who is willing to give thanks in all circumstances is the person who takes Romans 8:28 seriously: "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose." There are plenty of examples in the Bible of people whose trials, troubles, and tribulations were the very means by which God could use them in mighty ways. Joseph's imprisonment in Egypt, for example, was the vehicle for his elevation to being second only to Pharaoh. One cannot give thanks in all circumstances unless they truly believe that God is working for the good in all things.
These three things are the very Will of God for us. Let us be full of joy and thanksgiving and let us pray without ceasing and Mark 3:35 says we become the Lord's brothers and sisters.