That is to say, The Will of God, Post 2.

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

No matter the circumstance in which I find myself, being God-conscious will enable me to see that for which I can give thanks.

I notice again that this verse does not call on me to feel thankful.

Even though I may not feel thankful and even though I might actually feel ungrateful, I must give thanks.

That’s God’s will. And I’m committed to follow Him and do His will.

That is how God wants me to choose to respond in every circumstance.

But I don’t.

But I’ll keep working at it.

Maybe that’s why I’m soothed by the last verse of this chapter:

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” (28).

“For this is the will of God….” (1 Thessalonians 4:3).

Wow! How often I have wished to have it given to me that clearly and that directly.

Most of the time, it seems, I’ve been left with the wish…and with the task to “figuring out” God’s will without that clear, direct word.

It strikes me, though, that determining God’s will for those “most of the time” situations would be greatly simplified if I faithfully lived by His already-revealed will.

For example, He clearly says I ought to return good for evil. Much less clear to me is whether we should return to Mexico as missionaries. It seems my first priority should be to live by His clearly-revealed will. That will “equip” me for correctly discerning His will in other areas.

Oh, and what’s the rest of the above thought from the Scriptures?

“…even your sanctification…”

“…that ye should abstain from fornication…”

“…That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour.” (4).