Reflections on Sunday, December 11th: “The Will of God: Three Things”

In the Greek there is no definite article in front of the three little things listed in 1st Thessalonians 5:16-18, so these three things do not represent the exhaustive will of God, but only a part of it. However, the Bible does not often mention that which is “God’s will.” This is one of those instances. 1st Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Once again there is much on the Christian life (our sanctification in Christ) that we simply cannot ignore. There is a way God calls us to live in Christ, enjoying the sanctification that Christ has established by His holy life for us (His passive righteousness for us) and that which Christ continues to live out in and through His people (His active righteousness for us). The first aspect of His will is seemingly treated as that which is simply “unreasonable” in God’s Word. How can we “rejoice always”? In fact, doesn’t this contradict the fact that elsewhere Jesus actually describes His people as “mourning” (consider for example the Beautitudes in Matthew 5:4)?! This fact, however, is not contradictory, but explanatory. The joy here described is not a “natural joy,'” but a joy that is of faith (or we might say a “supernatural” joy). So what’s the difference? The natural joy is contingent on natural circumstances. If you’re on a game show and the announcer says, “you’ve won a new car!” The news may very well cause you to “leap for joy!” This is natural joy. The joy of faith is different. It is a joy that is assured of God’s presence no matter what we face! We do in fact face all kinds of natural circumstances that cause sorrow, but these things cannot remove the joy of faith that is ours which holds onto Christ’s promise that He will never leave us or forsake us. Paul and Silas were attacked, had their clothes torn off, were beaten with rods, thrown into prison, and had stocks put on their feet! Then the Scriptures record this: “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God.” (Acts 16:25) What inspired this? The work of God, the grace of God in Christ, the real faith-oriented joy of knowing the truth that God was in control and that they would continue to be blessed in Christ…no matter what! The second little thing about God’s will is always criticized: “pray without ceasing.” “Alright,” says the skeptic, “now we know that the Bible is constantly employing unrealistic hyperbole! How in the world can a person pray without ceasing?!” This criticism misses the meaning of the word. Here Paul is not describing formal prayers which require being prostrate or praying liturgical prayers, etc., but is describing a different concept altogether: prosklisis means “a leaning towards,” it is the predisposition of faith that realizes one’s constant dependence on the Lord, the awareness that He is always there, and that He is leading and guiding you in Christ at every instant of your life. This is prayer without ceasing even as you are led to other types of prayers which are indeed much more overt and focused. The last little thing is to “give thanks in all circumstances.” Here, I will point to but one thing in this verse…this constant thanksgiving finds us in a specific sphere of living, the Christian who gives thanks this way is “in Christ.” I think of Psalm 91…everything else can be falling apart all around you, but you are “in Christ’ and to be in Him is to always have the basis for giving thanks…even in the face of death since “in Christ” even that has been conquered. There is little question that we have much to be thankful for. I am humbled by all of this. Sometimes you hear people making a big “to do” about “the will of God” as some deep, mystical and esoteric thing. It’s not that complicated! At the same time, it is a great way to live in faith: 1) Rejoice always; 2) Pray without ceasing; and 3) Give thanks in all circumstances! This is Christ’s life and His life is your life. In Christ, Dr. Espinosa

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