Rejoice Always

By - Pastor Daniel C. Inghram

Adapted from: 1 Thessalonians 5:16, Lesson 62, Lesson 63, and Lesson 64, June 9 and July 7, 2019

In the Book of Thessalonians Paul writes to the new believers in the Church family he had established in an area of Greece known as Macedonia. In chapter one verse six, Paul encourages these new believers as they are in the midst of significant affliction. As he comes to the end of the letter, he wants to teach several spiritual concepts with emphasis. That emphasis comes by way of brevity and imperatives. These spiritual mandates are some of the greatest passages in the New Testament.

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).

Each of the verbs for rejoice, pray, and give thanks is an imperative. Therefore, these verses are commands. They are not suggestions or recommendations but foundational to the Christian’s life. Furthermore, each of these verbs are modified by seemingly impossible standards—always, without ceasing, and everything. What does Paul mean by these commands? Let’s look at “Rejoice always” in verse 16 first.

“Rejoice always.” Does this mean we should be joyful because we are in pain or experiencing hardship? Or does this command point us beyond our present troubles.

As believers in Christ, we can be content and rejoice in any situation because our present circumstance rests in a sovereign, loving Savior who has a perfect plan and purpose for each of us. We also have a future, which includes an eternity with our Savior. Understanding this concept of knowing who God is and His plan and purpose for our lives is necessary to obey the command to “rejoice always.”

Being in the Body of Christ, our relationship with God the Son showers us with blessings (Eph 1:3-12; 2:4-10). Knowing that we are “in Christ” and that God’s provisions are permanent and sufficient, we should be in a state of happiness and well-being “at all times” (Deut 33:26; Ps 91:1-2; 2 Cor 12:7-10; Phil 4:4-7).

Our happiness does not spring from our circumstances, but from the blessings of being in Christ (Phil 4:10-13). Our happiness is a condition of our soul; it is not dependent on the conditions around us. We should not allow something or someone to control our happiness. To do so delegates happiness to that thing or person.

For the Christian to remain “in sadness and depression really breaks a commandment: in some direction or other he mistrusts God—His power, providence, forgiveness.” (A.J. Mason, “The Epistles of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians,” in Elliot’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, vol. 8, p. 145.)

We are God’s people. God has commanded His people to be joyful. “Rejoice always” is not so much an action, but an attitude that reveals the contented soul of the believer. We can have a joyful, content attitude internally in our souls even in the midst of hardships because we know that every situation is in the plan and purpose of our Lord. We can understand the command to “rejoice always” as meaning “at all times, be content in whatever situation.”

Paul’s life included much adversity and opposition, but he was serving the God of the Universe, and it was the Creator who was his Savior. How could he not have contentment in his soul? Can we have less?

Conclusion: Our example is our Savior. If on the cross the Lord Jesus Christ could express His loving concern for His enemies, then we too should have a pleasant disposition, treating others around us with courtesy and love regardless of our circumstances. There is no excuse for us to be grumpy, cranky or irritable. Yes, we will face many disappointments, hardships, and painful situations. It is inevitable; we live in a fallen world, in a fallen body with other fallen people. Yet in these daily challenges we can be content knowing God, His plan and purpose, and that His provisions are permanent and sufficient for every circumstance.

This post was written by Pastor Daniel Inghram of National Capital Bible Church. If you have questions about this post or Christianity in general, please contact us today!