1 Thessalonians 5:16-28
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Thessalonians 5:23
Click to read passage
In our passage today, Paul continues with specific instructions to the Thessalonians on how they should live in Christ, both in their inner attitudes and in how they relate with the Holy Spirit.
Firstly, Paul says, “Rejoice always” (v. 16). Being able to rejoice always and in every situation is a basic mark of a Christian. To be joyful is to live under the influence of the Holy Spirit, with His fruits being shown through our lives. The early Christians faced all sorts of persecution and rejection for their faith. But they could rejoice in those afflictions, knowing that in their suffering they were walking the path of their Lord and belonged to Him. Even in our hardships today, we can anchor our joy in the unshakeable hope we have in Christ.
Secondly, Paul says to “pray without ceasing” (v. 17). He is not saying to pray nonstop, because who can ever do that? But as God’s children with direct access to the Father, we can adopt an attitude of dependence on God, speaking to Him and asking for His help in whatever we might face in our daily lives. You could set a scripture verse on your phone or computer to remind you of God’s presence and to speak to Him throughout the day.
Next, Paul says to “give thanks in all circumstances” (v. 18). This requires us to trust that God is always in control, even in the worst circumstances. It’s easy to complain whenever we encounter something that doesn’t meet our expectations. But as children of God, we can instead turn every negative experience into an opportunity to trust Him and turn to Him in prayer.
It is God’s will that our hearts be constantly shaped by the Holy Spirit throughout our lives as Christians, so that we are moulded more and more into the image of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is not that God causes us to suffer. Rather, through the reality of living in a fallen world, our Father wants us to turn to Him in every situation. Exercising our faith and growing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives through constant rejoicing, prayer, and thanksgiving.
And finally, in relating to the Holy Spirit, we are told not to quench the Spirit nor to despise prophecies. What Paul is saying is that we are to be open to God speaking to us through our brothers and sisters, in whom the Holy Spirit also dwells. But we are reminded to test everything, to make sure it is in line with God’s Word, and to keep away from what is evil. As a community of God’s people, we are to speak into one another’s lives in love, to build up each person into the fullness of Christ. And as Paul reminds us, it is not through our own earthly wisdom or strength, but through God who sanctifies us completely, that we may be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflection:
How might the Holy Spirit be inviting you to anchor your joy more deeply in Christ today? What would an attitude of dependence on God look like in your daily routines? What can you do to remind yourself to give thanks in all circumstances this week?
Prayer:
Father God, help me to trust that You are always in control, that I may have a heart of joy, praying to You at all times and giving thanks in all circumstances. I also thank You for Your Spirit at work among Your people, shaping us into a community that reflects our Lord Jesus. And I trust that You will bring to completion this good work that You have begun in all of us. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Click to read passage
In our passage today, Paul continues with specific instructions to the Thessalonians on how they should live in Christ, both in their inner attitudes and in how they relate with the Holy Spirit.
Firstly, Paul says, “Rejoice always” (v. 16). Being able to rejoice always and in every situation is a basic mark of a Christian. To be joyful is to live under the influence of the Holy Spirit, with His fruits being shown through our lives. The early Christians faced all sorts of persecution and rejection for their faith. But they could rejoice in those afflictions, knowing that in their suffering they were walking the path of their Lord and belonged to Him. Even in our hardships today, we can anchor our joy in the unshakeable hope we have in Christ.
Secondly, Paul says to “pray without ceasing” (v. 17). He is not saying to pray nonstop, because who can ever do that? But as God’s children with direct access to the Father, we can adopt an attitude of dependence on God, speaking to Him and asking for His help in whatever we might face in our daily lives. You could set a scripture verse on your phone or computer to remind you of God’s presence and to speak to Him throughout the day.
Next, Paul says to “give thanks in all circumstances” (v. 18). This requires us to trust that God is always in control, even in the worst circumstances. It’s easy to complain whenever we encounter something that doesn’t meet our expectations. But as children of God, we can instead turn every negative experience into an opportunity to trust Him and turn to Him in prayer.
It is God’s will that our hearts be constantly shaped by the Holy Spirit throughout our lives as Christians, so that we are moulded more and more into the image of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is not that God causes us to suffer. Rather, through the reality of living in a fallen world, our Father wants us to turn to Him in every situation. Exercising our faith and growing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives through constant rejoicing, prayer, and thanksgiving.
And finally, in relating to the Holy Spirit, we are told not to quench the Spirit nor to despise prophecies. What Paul is saying is that we are to be open to God speaking to us through our brothers and sisters, in whom the Holy Spirit also dwells. But we are reminded to test everything, to make sure it is in line with God’s Word, and to keep away from what is evil. As a community of God’s people, we are to speak into one another’s lives in love, to build up each person into the fullness of Christ. And as Paul reminds us, it is not through our own earthly wisdom or strength, but through God who sanctifies us completely, that we may be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflection:
How might the Holy Spirit be inviting you to anchor your joy more deeply in Christ today? What would an attitude of dependence on God look like in your daily routines? What can you do to remind yourself to give thanks in all circumstances this week?
Prayer:
Father God, help me to trust that You are always in control, that I may have a heart of joy, praying to You at all times and giving thanks in all circumstances. I also thank You for Your Spirit at work among Your people, shaping us into a community that reflects our Lord Jesus. And I trust that You will bring to completion this good work that You have begun in all of us. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.