"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Part 3
Yesterday: The second command – “Pray without Ceasing.”
Today: Personal Command for Believers – Thankfulness in All Circumstances
“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
The third command is –
“In everything, give thanks.”
As believers, our correct response to God and everything that He has done for us is thanksgiving. We have hearts full of gratitude for Him.
“We don’t give thanks for everything, but in everything. We recognize God’s sovereign hand is in charge, and not blind fate or chance” [1] (EWC).
“In everything—even what seems adverse: for nothing is really so…” [2] (JFB).
“In everything,” even in persecution and shame, suffered for Christ’s sake….” [3] (CB).
“For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him but also to suffer for His sake” (Philippians 1:29).
“And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
“The two previous commands deal with one’s time (“always” and “continually”); this one deals with his circumstances. Christians are to give thanks to God in every circumstance of life. The fact that God works everything together for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28) is the basis for this entreaty” [4] (BKC).
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
As we are busy “rejoicing evermore” and “praying without ceasing,” the result in our attitude is thankfulness.
“When joy and prayer are married, their firstborn child is gratitude” [5] (Spurgeon).
Believers understand what it is to give thanks in everything; the good things, bad things, and the ugly things in life. God’s children have been doing this for centuries.
“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20).
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him” (Colossians 3:17).
“…I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalm 34:1).
“By Him [Jesus] therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15).
If other believers have faithfully obeyed this command, with God’s help, surely, we can too.
“For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
Believers, if you doubt your ability to keep these three commands, please keep on reading.
Why do we obey these commands anyway?
“Rejoice evermore.”
“Pray without ceasing.”
“In everything, give thanks.”
Because these commands are God’s will for me and you.
“The thought isn’t ‘this is God’s will, so you must do it.’ The thought is rather ‘this is God’s will, so you can do it.’ It isn’t easy to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks, but we can do it because it is God’s will” [6] (EWC).
In the Scriptures, God tells us what His will is for us. He expects us to obey Him. For example –
“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication” (1 Thessalonians 4:3).
“For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men” (1 Peter 2:15).
Believers, the endless benefit to obeying God’s will is being with Him forever.
“And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever” (1 John 2:17).
“The Christian’s approach to life is one of joy, prayerfulness, and thanksgiving. Everything is continually offered to God—just as Jesus constantly communed with his Father and obeyed His will” [7] (TBG).
We obey these things so that we may gladly glorify our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Quotes: “We would worry less if we praised more. Thanksgiving is the enemy of discontent and dissatisfaction” [8] (H.A. Ironside).
“The soul that gives thanks can find comfort in everything; the soul that complains can find comfort in nothing” [9] (Hannah Whitehall Smith).
[1] EWC, Enduring Word Commentary, the electronic version in eSword.
[2] JFB, Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 392). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
[3] CB, Cambridge Bible, the electronic Bible notes in eSword. 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
[4] BKC, Constable, T. L. (1985). 1 Thessalonians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, pp. 708–709). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[5] EWC, Spurgeon’s quote is from EWC, Enduring Word Commentary, the electronic version in eSword.
[6] EWC, ibid. The emphasis is theirs.
[7] TBG, Knowles, A. (2001). The Bible guide (1st Augsburg books ed., p. 642). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg.
[8] Ironside’s quote was downloaded: November 5, 2021. From: https://www.inc.com/jeremy-goldman/giving-thanks-31-inspiring-quotes-about-thankfulness.html.
[9] Smith’s quote was downloaded: November 5, 2021. From: https://www.countryliving.com/life/g28564406/gratitude-quotes/.