God’s Will for All Christians “¹⁶ Rejoice evermore. ¹⁷ Pray without ceasing. ¹⁸ In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thess. 5:16-18)

Often Christians are uncertain as to what is God’s will for them. In 1 Thess. 5:16-18, God’s will for all Christians is clearly and briefly stated: “Rejoice evermore. ¹⁷ Pray without ceasing. ¹⁸ In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Looking at what is the shortest verse in the Greek Bible, 1 Thess. 5:16, which literally translated is “Rejoice always”, we are faced with the question, “How can a Christian do this? Christians can do this because of the following.

Rejoice Evermore.

The Christian’s joy is not the natural joy that rises and falls as the result of life’s highs and lows. The Christian’s joy is not the natural joy that ebbs and flows with the changing circumstances and shifting situations one encounters. The Christian’s joy is not the natural joy that swells and shrinks with “good fortune” or dismal disappointments.

The Christian’s joy is the supernatural joy that is the result of being rooted in a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. The Christian’s joy is the supernatural joy that fills the Christian’s heart in the midst of difficulties and despair. The Christian’s joy is the supernatural joy that springs from the blessings that are the possession of all who are in Christ.

Whether we are walking in sunshine or walking through a storm; whether we are down in the depths of a valley or perched on the peak of a mountain; whether we are in the clutches of calamity or in the grasp of greatness; we are to “Rejoice Always.” Why? Because our trust is in the Only One Who brings life out of death; Who makes something out of nothing; and Who is able to perform all that He has promised.

Pray Without Ceasing.

The way to “Rejoice evermore” is to “Pray without ceasing” thereby enjoying continual communion with the glorious giver of “every good and precious gift”. To pray without ceasing is not uninterrupted prayer, but prayer that continues whenever possible. It is seeking to maintain continuous fellowship with God and receiving an intimate sense of His Presence. It is the means by which one can truly say “He walks with me and talks with me, tells me that I am His own.” Is there any source of joy greater than this?

The varied occurrences of each day offers us numerous opportunities in which to participate in the precious privilege of prayer. The necessity of prayer pervades every experience we have, thereby giving us opportunity to have our hearts lifted up in adoration, in sincere surrender, and in total dependence as we engage in communion with Him. “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7). To “Pray without ceasing” is to cultivate a spirit of constant devotion that continuously fills our lives with the sense of the presence of God and the source of supernatural joy.

In Every Thing Give Thanks.

The two commands, “Rejoice evermore” and “Pray without ceasing”, are commands dealing with one’s use of time. The command at the beginning of verse 18 deals with one’s circumstances: “In every thing give thanks”. The NIV renders this verse. “Give thanks to God in all circumstances”. Remember this command focuses on circumstances and not commodities: “In every thing give thanks” not “for every thing give thanks”. Christians are to give thanks to God in every circumstance of life. Giving Him thanks in prosperity and in adversity. Giving Him thanks in sickness and in health. Giving Him thanks for His Gift of salvation in Christ Jesus.

Citizens of this world are without God and are constantly involved in complaining, grumbling, and displaying ingratitude when things are not going their way. But this is not so with citizens of heaven, “… Our citizenship is in heaven…” (Philippians 3:20, NIV). For Christians there is no situation in which we cannot give thanks, for Romans 8:28 tells us: “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”. We are to take God at His Word even when we don’t know his purpose. Romans 8:37-39 assures us that: “…in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. ³⁸ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, ³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord”.

This Is The Will Of God In Christ Jesus Concerning You.

In the midst of the good times and the bad; whether we are on the mountaintop or in the valley; whether we are walking in sunshine or in rain; our trust is in He Who brings life out of death; Who makes something out of nothing; and Who is able to perform all that He has promised. He is the One Who promises “I will never leave you nor Forsake you”.

“¹⁶ Rejoice evermore. ¹⁷ Pray without ceasing. ¹⁸ In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thess. 5:16-18).

Let us sincerely strive, by the power of the Spirit of Christ, to conduct our lives every moment of each day in the Will of God for All Christians.