JULY 8 = 1 THESSALONIANS 5
FINDING GOD’S WILL, PART THREE
We have been exploring what Paul said to the church of Thessalonica about the will of God. Today, we find a third passage with a series of directives that directly tell us, “this is God’s will in Christ Jesus.” Sound specific enough? Let’s find out what God’s will FOR YOU is in Christ Jesus!
Here’s what Paul tells them,
“Rejoice always,
More accurately, Paul says, “Rejoice in every circumstance.” When times are good, rejoice. When times are hard, rejoice. When you are persecuted for righteousness, rejoice. When you are grieving, even then rejoice.
Does God will for any of his people to be dour, sour or lacking in power? No. He wills only our good. God always wants our good. Do you believe that? Satan always wants our bad. He is out to kill, steal and destroy. (John 10:10) But Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. (John 10:10) So we rejoice in every circumstance.
pray continually,
More accurately, Paul says, “Pray without ceasing.” Never stop praying. Never not pray. God’s will is that we live in constant communication with him. Life is one continual prayer. “Make my life a prayer to you, I want to do what you want me to, no empty words, and no white lies, no token prayers, no compromise.”
We were made in the image of God. That means that we are capable of living in communion with our maker. Consciously aware of His presence, making our requests known to him, thanking him for his supply, repenting of our selfish sins, walking with him in the cool of the evening, being with him in all of life’s events, and living as one with him for eternity. This is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus.
give thanks in all circumstances;
Give thanks evermore. Just as we rejoice in every circumstance, so we give thanks for the good times and the bad. (See 2 Thess 1) Why rejoice in the bad times? Because even the bad times are for our good. They build character. They prepare us for eternity. James says, “count it all joy, brethren, whenever you encounter trials of various kinds, knowing that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
So even bad times are circumstances that we can rejoice in.
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Again, I note that God’s will for me is not found in the nouns of who, what and where, but in the verbs of why and how. Rejoice, pray, give thanks. This is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. God’s will for you is found in what you DO and in who you ARE.
So, what is it that God is wanting for you and me to DO?
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