1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 KJV
16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
TRIALS COME TO CHRISTIANS FOR OUR EDIFICATION
Problems, trials, tribulations, suffering, illness and death come to Christians as well as non-believers.
We are definitely not immune to these.
However, we have a way to deal with what comes our way, that non-believers do not have.
We have the promise of God that says “I will never leave you or forsake you” and regardless of what we are enduring, He is with us. The Holy Spirit which indwells us, comforts us.
Hebrews 13:5 NIV
5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”[a]
Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Always remember, that God has a purpose in all that He allows to happen. He is in total control.
SATAN USES FALSE TEACHING TO DRAW CHRISTIANS AWAY FROM GOD
Most of us have heard of some newer “theologies”, that many Christians are now subscribing to.
(1) One teaches that we can become wealthy if we give sufficiently to the right people. This is referred to as the "Prosperity Gospel."
(2) Another teaches that nothing bad will happen to us, if we have enough faith and trust. This is an offshoot of the "Charismatic Movement."
Those that teach or preach the “Prosperity Gospel” tell us that we will prosper if we give to them. Someone truly prospers, but there is no guarantee that it will be us.
Regarding the second example above, they teach that if we have sufficient faith, nothing bad is going to happen. I know a person who had tremendous guilt because they were told their mother would not have died, had they had sufficient faith. In other words, it was the child's fault. This was a “Charismatic” group that was placing this guilt on the daughter.
This will not be well received by those who believe in these “theological” versions, but God’s Word tells us they are false teachings.
They are a tool of Satan to cause a diminishing or non-existent faith in God.
We have two questions about those who subscribe to these false teachings;
What happens when they don’t get rich?
What happens when they maintain strong faith, yet someone dies or gets sick?
What happens is that one’s faith is diminished, or totally removed, because God didn’t make them rich or keep someone from getting sick or dying. In their minds, God either didn't care or didn't hear them. So, in their mind they ask, what is the use...and Satan wins.
PAUL IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF CHRISTIAN TRIALS
Paul wasn’t writing his epistles from a Hilton Hotel surrounded by luxury.
Let’s look at some of the hardships that the Apostle Paul faced in his life;
2 Corinthians 11:24-31 NIV
24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?
30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying.
YET, because of Paul’s faith, trust and knowledge of the workings of God, he could write “GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, FOR THIS IS GOD’S WILL FOR YOU IN CHRIST JESUS.”
In fact, four of his epistles were actually written as a prisoner, from a Roman cell.
They are Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon.
This prison cell was not exactly a Hilton suite, yet Paul continued to teach us to be content in whatever state we find ourselves.
Paul was content in his faith and trust, knowing that God’s grace is sufficient for all of our needs.
THORN IN THE FLESH
Remember also Paul’s trial which he called his “thorn in the flesh”, and how he prayed that it be removed.
2 Corinthians 12:6-9 NIV
6 Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, 7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Paul recognized that this trial was not going to be removed by God and that it was allowed in Paul’s life for his benefit…for his own good.
God told Paul that His grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in Paul’s weakness.
In other words, God’s power exhibits itself the greatest, when we are dependent or weak…when we rely on His strength to the uttermost.
God always has a purpose in everything He allows in a believer's life.
James 1:2-3 NIV
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds,
3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
James 1:12 NIV
12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
To those who teach the “prosperity gospel” I remind them of Paul.
Paul knew that God would meet his needs, and God did so.
However, Paul could not be considered prosperous in worldly goods at all. He was prosperous however, in all that matters; in the grace and love of God, as all Christians are.
To those who believe that someone would not be sick or die if their faith was stronger, it is clear that we “are appointed once to die a physical death.” Can God answer prayers and prolong the life of his children? Absolutely and there are examples in His Word.
God never promised that we wouldn't be sick, suffer, or have pain. He did promise to never leave us.
Naturally, there comes a time when we all will die.
This isn’t a bad thing. It isn’t based on our faith or trust in God.
For a Christian, it is a one-way flight to glory land. The final, glorious promise from God.
The body dies, but the soul of God’s children is carried by the angels to be with Him.
LET US GIVE THANKS IN ALL OF OUR CIRCUMSTANCES
When you think about this, you realize that many who have acquired great material wealth are not happy and are miserable. They do not praise and thank God for their circumstances.
The application of Paul’s words is why many who are poor, even poor as church mice, are happy and content in their life. They praise and thank God for their circumstances and through Him, are content.
There are many who are famous, or have great recognition for achievements, who are not happy and are miserable. They do not praise and thank God for their circumstances.
The application of Paul’s words is why many who have little in the way of accomplishments are happy and content in their life. They praise and thank God for their circumstances and through Him, they are content.
In closing, no matter what comes our way, we need to remember Paul’s words in 1st Thessalonians 5:16-18;
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Let us never forget to thank God for His bountiful blessings, but as Paul teaches us, let us also thank Him for the trials that come our way.
Let us thank Him for the lessons He teaches us through those trials.
Let us give thanks in all circumstances, for God has a purpose in all things that He allows.
Let us pray that we can have the faith, trust and attitude of the Apostle Paul who could see the purpose of God in all things. In ALL things, give thanks.
As Dr. Charles Stanley teaches, “adversity can either be a burden, or a bridge.”
That bridge brings us closer to God.
RVH