Monday, November 23, 2020

Let the Thanks Come Out! #23

We've seen in the last two letters of Paul we examined how thanksgiving is an integral part of the Christian life. Today we find a similar, but more detailed exhortation in his letter to the Colossians:
 3:12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
First, thanksgiving requires the proper attitude toward each other: How do we view and treat one another? Do we have humble, kind, meek and loving hearts toward each other? How do we handle our complaints with each other: Are we truly forgiving? It's hard to give God thanks when we're always complaining about each other.
Secondly, thanksgiving requires that we truly allow Christ to do what He wants to do in our lives. He wants to give us peace: are we willing to receive it? Are we teachable, allowing His Word and His people to speak into our lives. We will never be able to wholeheartedly give thanks when we are resistant to what He is trying to do.
Finally, thanksgiving requires that we see our lives as His, that we are always sincerely asking: "Lord, what do you want me to do?" If we are living our lives expecting Him to bless what we want to do, instead of viewing the purpose of our lives as being His chosen, holy and loved children, we will struggle to give Him thanksgiving. 

No comments:

Post a Comment