Rejoice, pray and be thankful…

1 Thessalonians 5:16-22
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. Don’t quench the Spirit. Don’t despise prophesies. Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good. Abstain from every form of evil. (WEB)

Today’s Scripture …reading is full of short bursts of exhortation that will help us live a victorious Christian life. Rejoice always… Pray without ceasing …Be thankful in everything… Embrace prophetic encouragements… Don’t quench the Spirit… Test all things… Hold firmly on all that is good… Abstain from evil.

When I read this very short but power packed exhortation, I can feel a little overwhelmed if I feel like Paul is giving me a list of ‘to dos’. If we approach the Christian life as a check list of rules and regulations that we have to work at in our own strength, then it will be definitely be a daunting task.

However, if we see the Christian life from the perspective of a dance where the Holy Spirit is leading us, then all we have to do is follow His lead. The more that we yield to His leading in our lives, the more we will see the fruit that abiding in Him brings… Being joyful in every situation…Talking lots to our Dad… Being thankful for every good gift that He gives us… etc.

The more that we develop an intimate relationship with the Godhead, the more that we WILL bear much fruit. Not because we have to, but because it comes as a product of a surrendered life to God. The more that we realize that we are already accepted completely because we are in Christ, the more we will respond to the Spirit’s leading by living a happy, prayer-filled, thankful life which at the end of the day is pleasing to our Father.

Romans 8:14
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God. (WEB)