1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says:
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (emphasis added)
At first glance this might seem like a really outrageous command that God is giving through the Apostle Paul: should we really give thanks in all circumstances? So even if I just failed my exams or been mugged or lost a relative or been involved in an accident I should still give thanks.
The Thessalonian Church was going through a lot of trials at the time that Paul wrote to them: some of the believers in Thessalonica had died and those that remained were hopelessly grieving for their loved ones thinking that they would miss out on Jesus Christ’s return. The believers were disappointed that the Apostle Paul had not come in person and had sent Timothy instead. In addition to all of this the believers were also being persecuted for their faith in Christ so not a lot was going their way when this letter from the Apostle Paul got to them.
In light of all of this, Paul towards the end of the letter encourages the believers to be joyful always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances and he even goes on to say that this was God’s will for them in Christ. But how did Paul expect the believers in Thessalonica to give thanks even in the circumstances that they were facing?
We must be able to see that giving thanks resulted from being joyful always and praying continually. The only way one can be joyful always is by continuously reminding themselves that, those who are in Christ, are not appointed to suffer wrath but to receive salvation. This is a truth that should bring joy to any believer no matter what we’ve faced or what we maybe facing at the time.
When you think about how Christ has saved you from the wrath of God does it thrust you into a time of thanksgiving to God or do you see it as something not worth to be excited about. The Apostle Paul saw it as something worthy of much excitement so much so that thinking about it bring about joy that would result in giving thanks in no matter what situation.
O Christian, there is much to be thankful for in your life, above all else you should always be thankful for what God has done for you through Christ.
Gospel Enthralled 