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Thanksgiving is God’s Will for Us in Christ by Pastor Charlie Handren

By Anonymous

Near the end of his first letter to the church of Thessalonica, the Apostle Paul issued an exhortation that seems both inviting and impossible. He writes, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

This exhortation seems inviting because it calls us into an ideal and fruitful way of life, and it is a fitting response to all that God accomplished for us and granted to us in Christ. However, it also seems impossible because the standard is so high and our tendencies are so contrary to it. Can you think of even one day in which you have literally rejoiced always, prayed without ceasing, and given thanks in all circumstances? Perhaps I’m blind to the grace of God operating in my life, but I can’t think of one day on which I’ve reached this standard in more than thirty years of walking with Christ.

Yet, perceived impossibilities aside, this way of life is the will of God in Christ Jesus for his people. To rejoice is to inwardly appreciate God for his person, words, and works, and to outwardly praise him for these things. When our rejoicing is rooted in God, it doesn’t ebb and flow with the tides of our circumstances, rather, it persists and even intensifies in times of suffering and sorrow. Of course, we can only rejoice in God as God completes his work in us, but God is surely completing his work is us, so let us rejoice!

To pray is to talk with God in light of his Word, and to intercede is to talk with God about others in light of his word. While it may seem impossible to “pray without ceasing,” Paul is simply inviting us into a way of life in which we’re constantly aware of our union with God so that we’re constantly communicating with God sometime with words and sometimes without words. As we progress in this great privilege, God works in us and causes us to rejoice and teaches us how to give him thanks in all circumstances.

To give thanks means to offer up “good graces” to God, that is, to bless his name. It means to express gratitude to God for his person, words, and works. And as we learn to rejoice always in God and commune with him through prayer, it’s only fitting that we also learn to give thanks to his name “in all circumstances.” Again, this is a work God does in us, but it’s a way of life God wills for us. So, Beloved, let us rejoice, pray, and give thanks! 
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