Rejoice always. (17) pray without ceasing, (18) in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (19) Do not quench the Spirit. (20) Do not despise prophecies. (21) Test all things; hold fast what is good. (22) Abstain from every form of evil. (23) Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (24) He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
The first letter to the Thessalonians was one of the Apostle Paul’s earliest letters. The Christian Thessalonians were a small group gathered by Paul over a very brief period of time. When Paul was forced to leave the city he worried about the recently converted and he sent Timothy back to find out if they were true to the gospel. When the good news of their steadfastness arrived, Paul pens this letter of joy, gratitude, commendation and exhortation. It is a letter not written to enforce any specific doctrinal truths but to reinforce the facts and principles of the gospel. This letter is a look at the power of the Gospel – there were only a few weeks of instruction and these to pagans in the main part. Look at the power of the gospel where an imperfect glimpse of it had transformed this people with a totally new – revolutionary – message.
Paul begins our verses to day with a command – Rejoice always. This is followed by a series of exhortations that deal with the beginning of inner life and our relationship with God. The command to rejoice doesn’t mean we are not to be empathetic but we are to transcend sorrows – at all times means even through severest adversity. This is not possible from a human point and it is not a natural joy but supernatural joy and a gift of the Holy Spirit. A command to joy is part of the process of holiness. This needs our will and confidence that God is in control and at His own good and perfect time all things will work to the best conclusion. We are to rejoice that we are chosen by God; to rejoice in the redemptive work of Christ. We are to rejoice in the work of the Spirit who is indwelt in the believer. The Spirit enables us, gifts us; rejoices in our spiritual blessings, in the Word of God, that we are complete in God. Rejoice in appreciation.
True Christians live their faith. They/we are justified in Christ and then we are sanctified which is the process of spiritual development – joy increases. We become holy or separate to God and to be committed to holiness is the prayer of Paul at the end of the verses we study today. We are to pray without ceasing and be ever conscious of God’s presence. We are to get rid of habits that act as a film between us and God.
Joy can be a matter of circumstance and/or constitutional ability but communion with God WILL bring us joy. The faithful are urged by Paul to continual thankfulness on condition of continual communion with God. What a worthy command with what immeasurable consequences for our holy living; REJOICE ALWAYS