Rejoice Always
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Paul ends his letter to the church in Thessalonica with these clear instructions: "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances." Were times easier then than now? Were these admonitions easier to receive during those times? Today, we have Covid-19, isolation, an election crisis - could Paul even imagine the challenges of our lives when he wrote these words? ABSOLUTELY! Paul wrote during a time of great persecution for the Christian church. The church in Thessalonica was a new church, and they were not prepared for the accusations and persecutions that came their way. In addition to this persecution, they had experienced the death of those in the church, and they feared that those who had died would miss out on the second coming of Christ and all the promises of that return.
Paul's time in the church of Thessalonica was brief. It is believed that he only preached for three Sabbaths there. They were deeply disappointed that Paul had not returned to spend more time with them. Thus, this letter was written within a year or two of Paul's ministry there. Paul wrote to encourage them in their faith, to remind them that God's promises of salvation were there for those who had gone to be with the Lord and for those who would remain until Christ's return. Until that return, God's people were to stay active and alert; they were to faithfully build the kingdom here on earth and to fully participate in the work of the Holy Spirit in them and through them.
With all these assurances written, Paul came to the end of his letter. Here, he admonished the people to rejoice, pray, and give thanks. In calling them to rejoice always, Paul did not mean there would be no pain. There was great opposition, persecution, and false accusations made against the people of God. There was death, sin, and the ongoing challenges of living in a fallen world. The church was not to deny pain but to acknowledge it, to feel it, and openly express it to the Lord and to his people. However, they were not to grieve as those without hope. With the Lord, with his presence and work in their lives, there was always hope. It was that secure hope found in Jesus Christ that allowed them to rejoice always.
The instruction to pray without ceasing was a reminder that the church of Thessalonica and all of God's people were invited into a personal and ongoing relationship with the Lord. Healthy relationships require good communication. Thus, the Thessalonians were to interact with the Lord in all things and at all times. The Lord cared for his people and wanted to do life with them.
Finally, all people in all times, have longed to know God's will for their lives. Paul shared that will here in his letter: give thanks in all circumstances. How were they to do that amidst persecution, accusation, loss, and grief? With the assurance that God was with them, that he cared for them, that he would sustain them, that this world is not the end, but there is a great promise of salvation and eternal redemption to which all his children can look and put their hope. God's will for them and for us is to live in those promises and to embrace that hope.
Reflection:
How do Paul's words challenge you today? How do Paul's words encourage you today? Can you spend some time implementing his instructions: rejoice, pray, and give thanks in all things?
Paul ends his letter to the church in Thessalonica with these clear instructions: "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances." Were times easier then than now? Were these admonitions easier to receive during those times? Today, we have Covid-19, isolation, an election crisis - could Paul even imagine the challenges of our lives when he wrote these words? ABSOLUTELY! Paul wrote during a time of great persecution for the Christian church. The church in Thessalonica was a new church, and they were not prepared for the accusations and persecutions that came their way. In addition to this persecution, they had experienced the death of those in the church, and they feared that those who had died would miss out on the second coming of Christ and all the promises of that return.
Paul's time in the church of Thessalonica was brief. It is believed that he only preached for three Sabbaths there. They were deeply disappointed that Paul had not returned to spend more time with them. Thus, this letter was written within a year or two of Paul's ministry there. Paul wrote to encourage them in their faith, to remind them that God's promises of salvation were there for those who had gone to be with the Lord and for those who would remain until Christ's return. Until that return, God's people were to stay active and alert; they were to faithfully build the kingdom here on earth and to fully participate in the work of the Holy Spirit in them and through them.
With all these assurances written, Paul came to the end of his letter. Here, he admonished the people to rejoice, pray, and give thanks. In calling them to rejoice always, Paul did not mean there would be no pain. There was great opposition, persecution, and false accusations made against the people of God. There was death, sin, and the ongoing challenges of living in a fallen world. The church was not to deny pain but to acknowledge it, to feel it, and openly express it to the Lord and to his people. However, they were not to grieve as those without hope. With the Lord, with his presence and work in their lives, there was always hope. It was that secure hope found in Jesus Christ that allowed them to rejoice always.
The instruction to pray without ceasing was a reminder that the church of Thessalonica and all of God's people were invited into a personal and ongoing relationship with the Lord. Healthy relationships require good communication. Thus, the Thessalonians were to interact with the Lord in all things and at all times. The Lord cared for his people and wanted to do life with them.
Finally, all people in all times, have longed to know God's will for their lives. Paul shared that will here in his letter: give thanks in all circumstances. How were they to do that amidst persecution, accusation, loss, and grief? With the assurance that God was with them, that he cared for them, that he would sustain them, that this world is not the end, but there is a great promise of salvation and eternal redemption to which all his children can look and put their hope. God's will for them and for us is to live in those promises and to embrace that hope.
Reflection:
How do Paul's words challenge you today? How do Paul's words encourage you today? Can you spend some time implementing his instructions: rejoice, pray, and give thanks in all things?
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