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Gratitude as a Guide
Rande Greene
“Rejoice always,pray without ceasing,give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
– 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoicing, praying and giving thanks were not part of the Gentile cultural mindset as they were among Jews, especially prayer and giving thanks. You remember the Law included a “Thank Offering”. Giving thanks was part of the social fabric in the O.T. culture. God desired the Gentile believers to reorient their cultural way of thinking and living; Coming to Christ meant an entirely new way of living. They were oriented around a new set of values and priorities. Why would Paul stress rejoicing and giving thanks as life practices to the Gentiles? It is not because God is a thin-skinned, insecure egomaniac who gets His feelings hurt if He goes unnoticed or unappreciated. There is a very important idea here. It is one of identity. Who they are now and how they live is crucial. It is a continuing theme through the entire Bible.
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By FCF DaytonRande Greene
“Rejoice always,pray without ceasing,give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
– 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoicing, praying and giving thanks were not part of the Gentile cultural mindset as they were among Jews, especially prayer and giving thanks. You remember the Law included a “Thank Offering”. Giving thanks was part of the social fabric in the O.T. culture. God desired the Gentile believers to reorient their cultural way of thinking and living; Coming to Christ meant an entirely new way of living. They were oriented around a new set of values and priorities. Why would Paul stress rejoicing and giving thanks as life practices to the Gentiles? It is not because God is a thin-skinned, insecure egomaniac who gets His feelings hurt if He goes unnoticed or unappreciated. There is a very important idea here. It is one of identity. Who they are now and how they live is crucial. It is a continuing theme through the entire Bible.