Rejoice always, (17) pray without ceasing, (18) in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (19) Do not quench the Spirit. (20) Do not despise prophesies. (21) Test all things; hold fast what is good. (22) Abstain from every form of evil. (23) Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (24) He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. (25) Brethren, pray for us. (26) Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.
The first letter to the Thessalonians was written by the apostle Paul to new believers in Christ who were being persecuted or always being threatened with persecution for Christ. In these circumstances how were they – and us – to develop the ability to rejoice always? Paul is referring to the spirit and the mind and advises us to lay down our burden and embrace the will of God; to pray always; to rejoice in the Lord and to practice calm in the face of adversity. We do this with the realization that God turns to our advantage our present evils – He directs us in prayer to what matters. The result of joy in living with God is a calm mind. We are warned to not quench the Spirit by our negligence of daily progress. Do not turn from the light and go after the vanity of this world. God also causes the faithful to see and opens their hearts. Paul requires the faithful to abstain from doubtful doctrine and is saying the spirit of judgement is given by God for discernment. The God of peace will see that the faithful would be perfected by him. The never failing aid of God is promised BECAUSE God has called them.
Prayer without ceasing means being in the spirit of dependence on God. Thankfulness and holiness go together and all things work together for good to those that love God – recognizing that all our circumstances come from God. We are warned against quenching the Spirit who seals our souls at the moment of faith. Unbelievers may resist the Spirit but only believers quench the Spirit by not responding to His guidance. We are to rely on prayer and the indwelling Spirit rather than human ingenuity. Be discerning and examine everything in the light of Scripture. If a doctrine contradicts Scripture, it’s wrong.
Daily walking in the Spirit is the conscious effort in which we strive in order to live holy lives. Romans 8:28 tells us that “and we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Believe it. Do it.