In Everything Give Thanks

 

From the Pastor:

1 Thessalonians 5:14-18

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

The verses above are greatly beneficial to the church at all times, but especially in the midst of difficult ones. They teach us that regardless of our circumstances we are able to show kindness, goodness, rejoicing, and give thanks. Of course, we need to be taught these important lessons, because all too often we let our circumstances, or the events of the day, to manipulate our emotions into refusing to do what God’s Word commands us to do, and instead we give into sin. Instead of showing kindness, we are harsh. Rather than pursuing good, we reply with an intention to hurt. We do not rejoice and give thanks in the midst of trials, but rather we feel like we’ve not been given a fair deal and question the goodness of God. All of these instructions matter all the more when we have endured a year like this year. Many of us have said goodbye to dear loved ones this year. We’ve felt isolate, alone, and afraid. Covid has dominated our minds and the headlines, along with election concerns, and claims that all types of “existential threats” exist right outside our front doors. Anyone would seem justified in feeling overwhelmed, scared, and timid about life going forward.

However, Christians do not see the world the way that unbelievers and sceptics do. We understand that living in a fallen world comes with all types of difficulties and trials. Some of those trials come in the form of viruses and diseases. Some of those trials come in the form of persecutions. Some of those trials come in the form of the loss of loved ones. And in even more subtle terms some of those trials come in the form of perceived unfairness or unkindness from others. Yet, as believers in the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ we know that we are only strangers and aliens in this present world, and that our true home is a place still unseen by human eyes whose builder and maker is God. That’s why we are able to endure all things that a fallen world and fallen people can throw at us, not to mention the sins that are a product of our own disobedience, because our hope is not in this world or the people of this world. Our hope is in Christ and his righteousness. Our hope is in the fact that in Him we can live free and thankful. In him we can endure all things because His amazing love works in us through all of the circumstances of life for our good and His glory. We know that in life and even in death nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore, be thankful this week and everyday the Lord gives you because His goodness and love surpasses all the heartache and brokenness of this fallen world.