Friday, Week Two of Advent by Jack Ely
I Thessalonians 5:16-24
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.
May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.
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What a joyful invitation into Grace. With this farewell from his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul gives an instruction to allow us peace. Pray, rejoice and be grateful in all things; I’m guessing even in the difficult things. Yet have the spirit to question, discern and decide; sorting out good which you keep and evil which you discard. So, don’t despair and don’t stop thinking, actually testing. Your good decisions and gratefulness will result in His Grace at the returning of Jesus Christ. Paul believes it and so should we.