Rejoice Always

Rejoice Always

Rejoice always.

I Thessalonians 5:16

We often hear great emphasis upon the commands of the New Testament. We behold these moral and spiritual imperatives laid out before us as, ‘what you must do,’ without any real indication of how to practically effect them apart from our exercise of will and self-discipline. Unpleasantly, this undermines the very foundation of practical Christian behavior. The Apostle Paul sets forth the correct order of things by his continued emphasis upon Christ. Each chapter of I Thessalonians closes with some reference to the return of Christ. This lays the groundwork for the imperative which serves as our text today, ‘rejoice always.’ What is important to remember is that everything else which Christ has done and is doing is preparation for what He shall do when He comes again. How, then may I, ‘rejoice always?’ I may ‘rejoice always’ by looking to Christ. God has chosen me in Christ, therefore I may ‘rejoice always.’ Christ has lived perfectly on my behalf, therefore, I may ‘rejoice always.’ Christ has died for me, therefore, I may ‘rejoice always.’ Christ has risen from the dead, and intercedes for me, therefore, I may ‘rejoice always.’ Christ is coming for me, therefore, I may ‘rejoice always.’ All these things work together in one harmonious concert, Christ, His Person and His Work enables me to ‘rejoice always.’

Our Glorious Living Christ,
we rejoice in You, Your Person, and Your Work.
We praise You, that this becomes the foundation
for all our other rejoicing.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning