Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thess 5:16-18).In that sense, it's difficult for me to decide to what Paul is referring when he says, "For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." What is? Is it God's will for you that you rejoice always? That you pray without ceasing? That you give thanks in everything? Oh, that answer is easy -- yes. In all three cases. Because, after all, it is commanded. Or is Paul saying, "The will of God for you in Christ Jesus is that you do all three of these things"? Well, perhaps. Again, since all three are commands, the answer again would have to be "Yes". In fact, commentator John Gill says that the phrase "may refer either to all that is said from 1 Thess 5:11 to this passage, or particularly to this of giving thanks." Clear as day. Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown says, "That ye should 'rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, (and) in every thing give thanks,' 'is the will of God in Christ Jesus'." Since they use "ye" in there, they're clearly right, right?
Okay, so it's not entirely clear as to what "this is the will of God for you" is referring, but in the final analysis I'm not sure it matters. Everything there is a command, so everything there is "the will of God for you". I guess we can go with that, can't we?
Most interesting to me, however, is the phrase "in Christ Jesus". You see, there's the answer ... for all of it. On what basis should we rejoice always? Why should we pray without ceasing? Why would we give thanks in everything? Because, you see, these superlatives -- "always", "without ceasing", "in everything" -- make these commands more than you might expect on the surface. So on what basis are we asked to rejoice, pray, and thank more than you might expect on the surface? Because you are "in Christ Jesus". Think about that!
God is the Ultimate Lawgiver and He has the sole Divine Right to give commands that everyone must follow. As such, He has the absolute right to command us to do the things He commands here. "Because I said so" is sufficient reason. But that's not the reason He leaves us with. "Because you are in Christ Jesus" is the reason here, and all that this concept entails. Given His sacrifice, His death, His resurrection, His presence, His life in you, His Spirit, His Supremacy, His Sovereignty -- oh, this list just keeps going and going like no Energizer bunny ever could -- we are to rejoice, pray, and give thanks at all times for all things without ceasing.
You know, today would be a good day to start that practice if you haven't already. I think you have sufficient reason beyond merely "Because God said so", right? If not, that should be good enough. It is His will. Now start enjoying some grateful obedience.
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