When you first hear the word “thanksgiving”, what first comes to mind? Is it a huge meal? A Turkey? Maybe you think of your family and friends? Or perhaps you may be reminded of that first Thanksgiving Day celebration that took place between the Pilgrims and the American Indians? What about the word “eucharistia”? Does your mind immediately race off to the word “eucharist”? ( i.e. the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church on the Lord’s Supper that states that the bread and wine are literally Christ’s body and blood and that one must literally consume Christ’s body and blood) Or do you just draw a blank? Perhaps some familiarity with the true meaning of the word “eucharistia” would do us some good.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 the Apostle Paul wrote some of his final instructions to the church in Thessalonica. Here the Apostle emphasizes three crucial imperatives for believers to follow in the midst of living under the expectation of the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is to “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” In these three short commands, we discover what the will of God is. It is interesting to note that the Apostle does not hide this from believers, but he makes this abundantly clear. He does this because his aim is not to keep God’s will in secrecy, but to simply declare it forcefully and unequivocally so that we may, by the power and strength of the Holy Spirit, live a life that is to be continually marked by the will of our Father. It is to glorify Him and prove that we are His disciples (John 15:8). In fact, I would venture to say, that those who do not have a desire to practice walking in the will of the Father are unbelievers (Matthew 7:21-23; 1 John 3:10). Only for the believer can these commands to rejoice, pray and give thanks, be joyfully received. They are not burdensome to them because they are an outflow of an inward reality of gospel transformation and reformation in their lives (1 John 5:3; Ephesians 2:8-10). Even though at times our hearts and flesh may fail, the desire of their heart continually cries out, “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. For His mercy endures forever!”(Psalm 107:1; 136:1). We sing praise to His Holy Name! Nothing can shatter them from rejoicing in the certainty that the Sovereign Lord of the Universe is using all things to accomplish His good purpose and for our good (Psalm 33:11; Ephesians 1:11; Romans 8:28-39). And at times when the fire of trials come hitting hard, they rejoice in knowing that the purpose for which the trials will be done, are to “conform them into the Image of His Son” (1 Peter 1:6-9; Romans 8:29). This is what the Apostle is simply telling the believers in Thessalonica. Keep doing the will of God. Keep rejoicing, keep praying and in everything, keep giving thanks (eucharisteite). Don’t let your life in Christ be hindered from always doing the will of your Father in heaven. Whether you are going through good times or bad times, you know that our Lord will come back in His perfect timing. Until then, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
Thanksgiving Day is not just one day out of the year in which we have a great meal with our family and friends and give thanks. No, for the believer, it is much more than this. True “eucharistia” happens all the time. It is just one of the daily marks that set them apart from the world. Although the unbelieving world seeks to give lip service to the One, True and living God on Thanksgiving Day, for the believer, this day is truly a day in which they can give “eucharistia” to Him. It is a reminder to reflect upon all that the Good Lord has graciously done not only in their lives, but also in the lives of others as well. No matter what happens, our lives are always to be marked by true “eucharistia”, to the glory of God.
For His Sovereign Glory Alone,
-Joshua Pérez
2 Peter 3:18
©Joshua Pérez
God-Centered: Transformed and Reformed Ministries
In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 the Apostle Paul wrote some of his final instructions to the church in Thessalonica. Here the Apostle emphasizes three crucial imperatives for believers to follow in the midst of living under the expectation of the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is to “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” In these three short commands, we discover what the will of God is. It is interesting to note that the Apostle does not hide this from believers, but he makes this abundantly clear. He does this because his aim is not to keep God’s will in secrecy, but to simply declare it forcefully and unequivocally so that we may, by the power and strength of the Holy Spirit, live a life that is to be continually marked by the will of our Father. It is to glorify Him and prove that we are His disciples (John 15:8). In fact, I would venture to say, that those who do not have a desire to practice walking in the will of the Father are unbelievers (Matthew 7:21-23; 1 John 3:10). Only for the believer can these commands to rejoice, pray and give thanks, be joyfully received. They are not burdensome to them because they are an outflow of an inward reality of gospel transformation and reformation in their lives (1 John 5:3; Ephesians 2:8-10). Even though at times our hearts and flesh may fail, the desire of their heart continually cries out, “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. For His mercy endures forever!”(Psalm 107:1; 136:1). We sing praise to His Holy Name! Nothing can shatter them from rejoicing in the certainty that the Sovereign Lord of the Universe is using all things to accomplish His good purpose and for our good (Psalm 33:11; Ephesians 1:11; Romans 8:28-39). And at times when the fire of trials come hitting hard, they rejoice in knowing that the purpose for which the trials will be done, are to “conform them into the Image of His Son” (1 Peter 1:6-9; Romans 8:29). This is what the Apostle is simply telling the believers in Thessalonica. Keep doing the will of God. Keep rejoicing, keep praying and in everything, keep giving thanks (eucharisteite). Don’t let your life in Christ be hindered from always doing the will of your Father in heaven. Whether you are going through good times or bad times, you know that our Lord will come back in His perfect timing. Until then, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
Thanksgiving Day is not just one day out of the year in which we have a great meal with our family and friends and give thanks. No, for the believer, it is much more than this. True “eucharistia” happens all the time. It is just one of the daily marks that set them apart from the world. Although the unbelieving world seeks to give lip service to the One, True and living God on Thanksgiving Day, for the believer, this day is truly a day in which they can give “eucharistia” to Him. It is a reminder to reflect upon all that the Good Lord has graciously done not only in their lives, but also in the lives of others as well. No matter what happens, our lives are always to be marked by true “eucharistia”, to the glory of God.
For His Sovereign Glory Alone,
-Joshua Pérez
2 Peter 3:18
©Joshua Pérez
God-Centered: Transformed and Reformed Ministries