John Wesley was about 21 years old when he went to Oxford University. He came from a Christian home, and he was gifted with a keen mind and good looks. Yet, in those days he was a bit snobbish and sarcastic. One night, however, something happened that set in motion a change in Wesley’s heart. While speaking with a porter, he discovered that the poor fellow had only one coat and lived in such impoverished conditions that he didn’t even have a bed. Yet, he was an unusually happy person, filled with gratitude to God. Wesley, being immature, thoughtlessly joked about the man’s misfortunes. “And what else do you thank God for?” he said with a touch of sarcasm. The porter smiled, and in the spirit of meekness replied with joy, “I thank Him that He has given me a life and being, a heart to love Him, and above all a constant desire to serve Him!” Deeply moved, Wesley recognized that this man knew the meaning of true thankfulness. (Source: Unknown)
Do we really understand the true meaning of thankfulness? Does our own thankfulness go beyond mere discipline or politeness? In what is our thankfulness rooted?
A few months ago, we began this study with only an introduction to the series before COVID double pneumonia delayed this series to God’s perfect timing. Before we consider Colossians 1, let’s take a moment to review what we saw months ago.
Colossians 3:15 points out that God sees thankfulness as authoritative (a command). “…be ye thankful” is an imperative statement applied specifically to the church! Look at the verse as a whole. Thankfulness tends to promote peace and harmony amid the church. An ungrateful assembly is commonly seen as “tumultuous, agitated, restless, and dissatisfied” (Source: Barnes Notes on the Bible)! The church needs to nurture a thankful heart to enjoy “the peace of God (ruling) in your heart.”
According to I Thess. 5:16-25, God also sees thankfulness as continual choices! This is a moment-by-moment choice made by every one of us. Notice the verb tenses from the original Greek: “be rejoicing, be praying unceasingly, and be giving thanks.” The Greek tells us that thankfulness is a present continual action.
“Always be rejoicing. Be praying unceasingly. In everything be giving thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Now look at Colossians 1:9-14.
Thankfulness is Acknowledgement
Colossians 1:9-14
Thankfulness is not only a command (it’s authoritative) that is the outcome of continual choices, but it is also acknowledgement. Thankfulness is acknowledging who I am and who God is – it is acknowledging what I have done and what God has done.
Who I Am…
Col. 1:12 says, “…He made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance…” Literally – “with joy constantly giving thanks to the Father who qualified you for the portion of the share of the inheritance of the saints…”
Of ourselves we have nothing! We were not part of the family, or friendly to the Father, to even deserve the inheritance. It is God the Father who has made us something through Jesus Christ! He drew us to Himself when we were most unfriendly and full of contention. He brought us into the family of God and gave us this inheritance! Who are we to deserve such an inheritance? We are:
Sinners – Eccl. 7:20
Wrong – Proverbs 14:12
Deceitful & Wicked – Jeremiah 17:9
Even our good is filled with evil – Romans 7:21, “I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.”
There is nothing good in me – Romans 7:18, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will [to do right] is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.”
To be Biblically thankful, I must acknowledge who I truly am before God! It is when I see myself as I truly am that I then have great joy in seeing God as He truly is!
All That God Is!
So, who is God? Well, look at this passage again! It tells us who He is and for what we have to be thankful!
“He made us”– v. 12
He is our qualifier
“Who hath delivered us”– v. 13
He is our deliverer
“In whom we have redemption through his blood…” – v. 14
He is our liberator
“Who is the image of the invisible God…”– v. 15
He is the absolute deity!
“Firstborn of every creature”– v.15
He is top priority and sovereign over all creation! (Firstborn in rank, not order!)
“For by Him were all things created…”– v. 16
He is the Creator of all!
Let’s just say that you and I went to the grocery store. When we got to the checkout lane, I turned to you and said I want to purchase your groceries! Your response would most likely be – genuine thanks. That was a nice gesture!
As we leave the store, we begin to walk into the parking lot and a car comes around the corner somewhat out of control and going entirely too fast for a parking lot. I don’t see the car, but you do. As the car is headed right for me –you quickly push us both out of the way. My response to you then is one of even greater thankfulness because you could have very likely just saved my life. The groceries are helpful and kind, but saving a life is a whole different level of its own! The motivation for thankfulness changes from “the kindness of a friend” to “a matter of life or death.” The difference of the impact is that of a one-time act that either helped out a guy for a day or even a week to the impact of a one-time act that changes the course of man’s life.
God has given us much for which we ought to be thankful. Greatest of such things is the deliverance (from sin and hell) and liberation (redemption) made possible by God and God alone!
I cannot be thankful as God sees thankfulness until I acknowledge who I am, and all that God is, and I submit to his command in adoration.
Thankfulness is Adoration -- Psalm 100:4
Thankfulness is worship to God! I am to worship God with thankfulness at His gates, in His courts, and lifting up His name. The idea is the picture of the temple. From the time you enter the gates until you walk into the courts –give Him thanks! This thankfulness is like the incense of the temple, which filled the whole house with smoke!
My wife and I love candles! We particularly like candles that smell like food or spices. The fall and winter months are especially set aside as candle burning months. I like walking into my home and smelling cinnamon, pumpkin, or apples! The smell just permeates the whole house!