God's Way to Live

 There is a right way and a wrong way to approach life. It should make a huge difference in our lives once we come to know Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Our way of life should be totally different from everyone else in many respects. If there is not a contrast between us and non-believers, there is something very seriously wrong. Paul was inspired to give us some wonderful insights into the way God wants believers to live at the end of his first letter to the church in Thessalonica. (I Thessalonians 5:16-18) I want to highlight three aspects which should be obviously changed and how those changes will affect our lives.

Among the other things which Paul exhorted the Thessalonian Christians to do, these three things have to do with our personal attitudes as we live each day. We are the only ones who have control over these things. We can't blame God or anyone else if we fail to do them. If we allow the Spirit to empower us and guide us to be faithful in these things, we will be much happier and have much better relationships. We are commanded to be cheerful no matter what happens. How is that possible? We can be cheerful all of the time, if we remember Christ has saved us, we are adopted into God's family, and we have a home in heaven, no matter what happens to us. Of course, there are many other things for which to be rejoicing, too. Then, we must be praying all of the time. We do not need to have our eyes closed and hands folded constantly, but we need to carry on an ongoing conversation with God, seeking His provision and guidance in all things. When we depend on Him this way, He is right there to lead us each step of the way. Finally, we should be thanking God no matter what happens. It is always possible to find some reason to be thanking God all of the time. When we put these together, we have a person who is cheerful, prayerful and thankful continually. Now, that is a well-grounded, joyful person, who is very happy and pleasant to be around. See what I mean about God's way to live? It is the best!

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Tomorrow, I intend to read II Thessalonians 2-3 and I Timothy 1.