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“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” I Thessalonians 5:18
Every Thanksgiving, like probably most families, we go around the table and express
what we are most thankful for. It’s a sweet tradition and I am so glad my parents
started that tradition ever since I could remember.
Of course, we know that expressing thankfulness is not just reserved for the last
Thursday in November. Or do we? We may know it, but do we practice it other times of
the year?
In the verse above, it says, “In everything give thanks…”
That little phrase, “en panti,” in the Greek means, “in connection with everything that
occurs. In connection with everything in life give thanks, no matter what it might be.”
With obvious exceptions of personal sin, he is saying no matter what happens to you in
life, be thankful. No matter what our lot in life is; no matter what circumstance; no matter what struggle, trial or testing—be thankful, give thanks.
No matter what the situation, we are to find reason to thank God. Thanksgiving is the hallmark of being a Christian. It is the essence of Christian living and attitude. And that is an attitude that is meant to be 24/7, 365 days a year.
Easier said than done, right? But God expects us to be thankful in everything. So how
does this work? I'll just share a few Bible verses that I hope will build a little theology of
thankfulness to encourage you.
The principle that sets it all in place is Romans 8:28:
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
That's really the overarching umbrella that covers every issue of life. No matter what
happens, it all falls under the umbrella of Romans 8:28. And it will be by God working
together for our good. Certain things in and of themselves may not be good, but God
will take a bad thing and turn it to a good purpose for our good and our eternal glory.
If you live believing that God is at work, providentially controlling all of the
circumstances of life, that will to lead to a sovereignly designed goal for your good—
then you can handle anything in life and be thankful because you know it fits in to His
ultimate plan.This means that we could be thankful for things, even painful things,
because God will use them for good.
The expression used for exercise, “no pain, no gain,” means that our bodies will be
healthier when we go through the painful riggers of working out. It’s the purest form of
“sweat equity.” There are many things in life that involve that.
But long as you look at the end result, you can be thankful, even for a process that's
less than happy or joyful. When we see the end result of what God is doing, blending
everything in our lives for ultimate good and glory, then we can in everything give
thanks.
But it’s so easy to fall into a state of unthankfulness, even as Christians. Especially in
this time of wanton materialism and instant gratification. So as Christians we must be in
the Word and remind ourselves of every Spiritual blessing in Christ, which surpasses
knowledge and any earthly possession.
Another Scripture, 2 Corinthians 4:15–
“For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God."
What he means here is that as people receive the grace of God in salvation, it leads to
resounding thanksgiving. It should be normal. It should be characteristic. It should be
the pattern of every Christian's life that we are endlessly giving God thanks.
In 2 Corinthians 9:11–
“You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.”
Not only do you have salvation but you have everything. God has poured out everything. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10. Here, He’s talking about His sheep. In Ephesians 5:4, “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.”
When you open your mouth, let thankfulness come out. Christians should be known by their thanksgiving. When they open their mouth they're expressing gratitude to God.
In the same chapter, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks aways and for
everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ”(Ephesians 5:18-21).
A Spirit-filled believer is a thankful believer. That's what he's saying; if you're filled with the Spirit, you're going to be giving thanks in everything. It's just going to gush out of you.
We should be giving thanks because of our salvation. We should be giving thanks
because of God's outpouring of all the blessings of our spiritual lives. Even in the times
of trouble, Paul says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).
Just one more Scripture. Colossians 2:6-7–“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the
Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you
were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” He says we’re to talk the right way, and here's
how to walk—walk overflowing with gratitude, just gushing with gratitude because of all
we have in Christ.
Our lives ought to be characterized by overflowing gratitude. It should to be said of
every Christian, "Now that is a thankful person…”
So, when you’re around the Thanksgiving table this year, when it’s your turn, tell your
family and friends how thankful you are for them for sure—and then say, “I’m thankful in everything, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for me and you.”
Happy Thanksgiving!
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