Message from Scripture: 12/12/2020

 

Our message from Scripture today is 1 Thess 5:16-18. “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”

In Paul’s closing remarks in his first letter to the church at Thessalonica, he mentions three qualities that should be part of every Christian’s life: joy, prayer, and thanksgiving. Certainly we have much to rejoice in, considering God is always for us and is working His good will out in our lives. We are blessed to have a heavenly Father who wants us to communicate our needs to Him, as He is ready and willing to help us through the trials of life. We can give thanks that God is the God He is, who loves and cares and helps us through what we face in life, and provides us with eternal hope.

Not only are these three qualities God’s will for us in Christ, but the measure with which we engage in them is to be abundant as is God’s blessings. We should always be joyful. We should pray without ceasing. We should give thanks in everything. This is the measure we should offer of ourselves to God, constant and sure in engaging in them. The idea is, always engage in the lifestyle these attitudes promote, as they lead to a greater holiness in us, and a greater testimony of Christ to those around us.

For God to accomplish His goal in us, which is to mold us in His image and prepare us for eternity, then we must never ever give up on thinking and living as He desires. This is the only way we can genuinely reflect His image in our lives..Our faith in Christ should not be a something thing, an occasional thing, or a whenever it’s convenient thing. It is not to be practiced only in case of an emergency, or when we feel pressured into it, but always, without ceasing, in everything and in every way, Christ in us.

Paul is saying these qualities are to become part of who we are, our lifestyle in Christ at all times. Let’s make sure we practice these things because God is living and working in and through us for His good pleasure, which is the salvation of our souls. Today would be a great time to start! Have a great day in Christ. God bless.

Robert