One who thus lives will naturally and necessarily obey the command, “In everything give thanks.” This is not only to express gratitude for every thing, although that should be done, but also to “give thanks” under all conditions and in all circumstances. Obedience to these commands is dif ficult. Indeed, it may seem impossible. However, a ringing word of encourage ment is added: “This is the will of God in 'Christ Jesus to you-ward.” That we should lead lives of continual joy, of ceaseless prayer, of constant thanks giving, is not merely the desire, the expectation, the command of God—it is His purpose, His will—and therefore is certain to be fulfilled. This ideal has been realized in Christ, and it is in His power, and in virtue of His in dwelling, that such an ideal will be realized with increasing perfection by those who trust and follow Him. “Quench not the Spirit.” Pink, “There is a real sense in which any Christian may quench the Spirit. One may do so when in any way he refuses the guidance or represses the impulses, or neglects to use the gifts or to culti vate the graces, of the Spirit. All should welcome God’s Spirit and should seek to be sensitive to His every breathing in our hearts. However, as used here, the warning is more specific and the message more limited. The words which follow, ‘Despise not prophecyings,’ have led to the conclu sion that the word ‘spirit’ refers here to those unique spiritual gifts which were granted to the early Church. These were temporary and were mirac ulous in character. They included ‘tongues,’ ‘prophecy,’ ‘interpretation of tongues,’ gifts of ‘healing.’ These gifts were usually manifested in the public gathering of Christians. Their exercise was open to abuse. In some cases it led to disorder, to confusion, even to disgrace. The result was that in some quarters these gifts fell into disrepute. Christians were tempted to repress the movings of the Spirit in their own hearts, and to restrain others who would have been helpful in the use of their divine endowments.” 35
be characterized by love, and love “beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Love never faileth.” The Christian, therefore, can harbor no spirit of revenge. He must endeavor also, as far as possible, to check that spirit in others, and to seek the highest good and continuous welfare of all: “See that none render unto any one evil for evil; but always follow after that which is good, one toward an other, and toward all.” Hogg, “The three exhortations which follow have been called ‘the standing orders of the Christian Church,’ for, no matter what the circumstances may be, these commands are at all times in force: ‘Rejoice always; pray with out ceasing; in everything give thanks.’ The injunction always to be joyful has been called ‘essentially Christian,’ since Christianity is based upon ‘glad tidings’; ‘characteristically Pauline,’ since joy was his constant experience and ‘rejoice’ his repeated command; and ‘specifically appropriate,’ since the Thessalonians were sorrowing beyond necessity, yet suffering real bereave ment and distress. However, Paul was no shallow optimist. He knew that pain and loss are real. He means, how ever, that amidst and beneath unques tioned sorrows there can exist unfail ing springs of joy. He indicates that the cultivation of a spirit of constant gladness is a Christian duty.” “Pray without ceasing.” To obey this command would enable one to “re joice always.” It is, however, a dis tinct injunction. It is not to be unduly pressed. It does not mean the abandon ment of tasks and duties and times of rest, and the devotion of life to the one exercise of communion with God. Nor yet is it to be minimized to mean merely that one should cultivate a habit of prayer. Life should be lived in the continual spirit of worship. “Be neath the stream of thought there should flow the deep current of un conscious communion with God and the sense of his presence, a current ever and again rising into conscious peti tion and adoration and praise.
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