“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thess 5.16,17
It was Thanksgiving 2007 that convicted me to frame a wonderful artwork depicting Jesus receiving the grateful leper, healed and now kneeling at His feet (Luke 17.17). Way off in the background you can also see the nine other healed lepers who never stopped to offer thanks to their Healer. Am I like that sometimes? Since hanging that artwork I have wanted to purposely pursue a more thankful attitude and it has visually reminded me of the priority of thanksgiving.
In 1 Thessalonians chapter six we are told to be joyful always, to pray continually, and to give thanks in all circumstances. I like the idea of joy, prayer and thanksgiving bring wrapped together. But the “always”, or never ceasing, aspect seems daunting. Is it just an exaggeration? Is it describing the lifestyle for spiritual giants only?
Many years ago the saintly evangelist and pastor, John Wesley, connected these verses to the practical outworking of a holy life. For him these words captured what a life captivated by the pursuit of God and empowered by the Spirit of God would be marked by. And here is the key for getting close to this standard which God intends for all believers - the supernatural work of the Spirit. In fact, when we seek to live a life of active and dynamic trust in our Savior the practical outworking will be praise and thanksgiving. When we practice praise and thanksgiving we are expressing our trust in God’s goodness.
In 2012 I have been reminded of my absolute dependence on God’s Spirit for a life that pleases Him and practices His revealed Biblical will in these three primary aspects of the spiritual life – joy, prayer, and thankfulness. This Thanksgiving Holiday, celebrate the freedom you have in this country by freely choosing to give thanks to God for His mercy to us.
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