Peace... But, Wait, There’s More... Joy Too!

“Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens.”
-1 Thessalonians 5:16-18a (Msg)

These commands of Paul’s above, as eloquently described by Eugene Peterson, are firm statements of faith all Christians are to align with, not occasionally, but always. They’re to be absolutes.

And what is the result if we’re able to do this? The point is, if we’re able to be joyful at all times, we will be people of peace, and vice versa.

Gregory Beale says, “Joy is typical of those who are at peace with themselves and others... we are not peaceful people when we react wrongly to difficulties, but one who rejoices even when things do not go well will be a person at peace.”[1]

And joy is a characteristic and a gift of the Holy Spirit (see 1 Thess. 1:6).

At the end of the day, “faithfully enduring such things [as tests and trials in cheerfulness] pleases God.”[2] After all, every circumstance we find ourselves is God’s will. (Now, there’s a theological minefield right there!)

We must know within ourselves, if ever our joy has disappeared so it seems has our peace. Again, if we’re not at peace with ourselves and our world and all the people our world, our joy has gone--and where, I could ask, is our hope? Suddenly, perhaps, we find ourselves with little to look forward to.

Hope, I venture to say, is at the bottom of the pyramid. We cannot thrive without it.

Copyright © 2008, S. J. Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

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ENDNOTES:
[1] Gregory K. Beale, 1-2 Thessalonians – The IVP New Testament Commentary Series (Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2003), p. 167.

[2] Beale, Ibid, p. 167.