In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
As we enter this day that we call Thanksgiving, let us consider this verse in 1 Thessalonians and apply its truth to not only this day but every day.
1) It tells us that our gratitude is to go beyond being thankful. It says to “give thanks”. This is more than an attitude but is an action. In truth, it is a way of living. It is thankfulness that is manifested and observable.
2) We are to manifest this giving of thanks “in every thing”. This is not broken up into categories of good days and bad days but for all days. If we would realize we deserve nothing, but God in his grace and mercy has blessed us undeservedly, then there would never be a time that we should not be thankful. There should never be a time when we would not want the world to see our thankfulness. It would bubble out of our soul.
3) Not just being thankful, but giving thanks is the will of God for our lives. Yes, he deserves our gratitude, but he also deserves our manifesting this gratitude unashamedly. We should have a witness (a testimony) of thanksgiving. We are not doing this to be seen of men but that the world could see Jesus in us and through us.
4) “In Christ Jesus” is the source of why we should be so thankful and why we should be acknowledging this to the world. Without him, we would be nothing and have nothing that carries any weight of eternal spiritual value. “In Christ Jesus” we are forgiven, pardoned, reconciled, redeemed, and saved.
5) This giving of thanks is not something that you can choose as an option. It is “concerning you.”
6) It is obvious that whatever is the will of God for us is intended to bring honor and glory to God. That is our highest calling and should be our greatest desire.
Let us give the Lord our lives as a living sacrifice of thanksgiving.
In Christ's Service,
Bro. Adrian Moore
2 Cor. 4:5
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