THANKSGIVING AS A WAY OF LIFE – By Rev. Dr. Ninan Verghese
We live in a society that lives and acts as though God were dead. But for the Christian, thankfulness demonstrates our recognition that we are inadequate, and that God is our all sufficient one. Thankfulness shows our submission to and dependence on the Lord; it shows we understand that the happiness, blessings and prosperity is totally dependent upon God.
We must never forget that one of the qualities and characteristics of a godly person is that he or she is a thankful person. A thankful heart flows from an inner life that is fixed in the Lord and His love and grace.
First, Thanksgiving acknowledges God’s grace in all situations.
Colo 3:15: “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.”
The Greek word used in verse 15 for “thankful” means “mindful of favors, grateful, thankful”, “pleasing, agreeable” or “acceptable to others.” And the word for “thanks” in verse 17 means “to be grateful, feel thankful” or “give thanks.” These words come from the word “charis” which means “grace, the unmerited favor of God.” This word thus indicates that true thankfulness is the result of recognizing the grace of God. It is a response of heart to the favor received.
Paul says in verse 16, “…singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Thus, Thanksgiving is an expression of an inner recognition and acknowledgment of the grace of God in every area of one’s life.
True thankfulness is something that proceeds out of the inner person, from the heart through the lips. If the heart is filled with greed, with problems such as unresolved feelings of anger and resentment, then thankfulness is basically impossible and one will not be “bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.” (v.13).
Not only is giving thanks commanded by the Word but it is part of our service as believer-priest. Hebrews 13:15 says, “Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.” Thanksgiving is a priestly sacrifice, an act of worship through which we offer up praise to God. Thanksgiving is an act of adoration and praise that calls attention to the grace work of God.
Second, thanksgiving deepens our faith and produces peace.
Versus 12-13: “And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.”
God has chosen us, set us apart, loves us, and enables us through our new life in Christ to put on daily a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience He has equipped us in Christ to bear with one another, to forgive each other so the bond of unity will have fertile soil in which to grow. As we reflect upon God and what He is to our lives, His goodness, grace, power, and so on, it rejoices the heart, deepens our faith and gives peace. It encourages us, comforts us, and strengthens our trust in the person and promises of God.
Believers need to learn to live by praise or thanksgiving. As verse 15 says, we must learn to “become thankful.”
Thankfulness replaces grumbling, complaining and criticism. Without thankfulness the heart grows cold. We become insensitive to God and more and more self-centered and independent, going our own way and acting as practical atheists (Rom. 1:18).
Third, Thanksgiving is something we need to develop
Verses 16-17: “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”
This tells me thankfulness is thus something we must develop and work to maintain. It takes time and effort. Thanksgiving is the product of a Word-filled, Spirit-filled life. It is a product of a life that is occupied with the Lord and learning to relate everything in our life to Him.
For Thanksgiving to be our lifestyle, we must remember all is of grace. Salvation is by grace, and serving is by grace. Both salvation and serving are on the basis of what God has done in Jesus Christ, not on the basis of what we have done as a person. We can never claim credit for what we have done.
We owe God everything and should be thankful to God for everything. All that we are and all that we do is on the basis of grace and mercy. As well, it is best for us to remember God owes his creatures nothing, yet all creatures owe Him everything. Thanksgiving as a lifestyle takes our eyes off ourselves and our problems and focuses them on the Lord and His greatness.
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