Commentary on "Church Life (1 Thess. 5:12–28)"

RICK BARKER

 

Day 4: Tuesday, September 4, 2012 - Positive Christian Attitudes (1 Thess. 5:16–18)

 

This lesson really misses the mark. It has mistaken the happiness of our lives with the joy of Christ. Statements such as "Open your eyes. The gifts of God are all around us" and instructions such as "Make a list of ten things for which you are thankful. Be very specific."

These focus us on the earthly and the temporal. And they completely miss the single greatest gift that overshadows everything else. Christ and Him crucified. Christian joy is found in Him, not in the things that are all around us. What we are surrounded with comes and goes. Basing our joy and our gratitude towards God on these temporary things is living in the flesh, not the Spirit.

 

GO TO DAY 5

 

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