Giving Thanks Always
It seems like every year at this time I write a bulletin article about being thankful. It is woefully inadequate for something that we should be doing every day of the week. The Holy Spirit said, “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18), and “giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20). Christians should always be thankful for everything!
Paramount among everything is Jesus Christ. He has the preeminence (Colossians 1:18). Without Jesus, we could not function as we function today. We have the wonderful organization of people that is the church because of Him (Acts 20:28). We enjoy fellowship with God and with one another because of Him. He gives to His people richly in this world all good things (James 1:17). Jesus died for us that we might have forgiveness of sins and be brought together into the church (Ephesians 2-3). For this we should be eternally grateful.
We thank God not only for all the good things that happen in life, but the challenges of life also. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” When all is said and done in this world, the Christian will glory even in his troubles. Paul wrote, “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” God seeks to purify us for His purposes. What a blessing it is to be used by God. Let’s be thankful.