When God gives a command, it is not optional, and it usually isn’t something that comes naturally to us. For example, the command to “love your enemies” is not something we naturally want to do (Mat. 5:44). In the same way, “Repay no one evil for evil” (Rom. 12:17) goes against everything inside of us in wanting to fight back. So, it is interesting that God would command thankfulness. Paul said, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful” (Col. 3:15). It seems like this should come naturally to everyone, but it could be that our natural inclination is to forget the blessings of being in “one body” (the church; Col. 1:18). The body of Christ is the only place salvation is found today which should motivate us to be thankful like many who were saved in various ways under the Old Testament.
When Noah was spared from the rampant wickedness of the world and the violent flood waters that destroyed the earth, he showed his thankfulness by building an altar and sacrificing to the Lord (Gen. 8:20). When Israel was being heavily burdened by the Egyptians afflicting them, God brought them out with a “mighty hand” and “outstretched arm” (Exo. 1:11; Deu. 26:8). They sang a song of thankfulness to God exalting Him (Exo. 15:1,2). When the Jews in the days of Esther were saved from death by her request to the king and God’s providence, there was gladness and feasting in thankfulness (Est. 9:17-19). Finally, when Jonah tried to flee from the presence of the Lord and was swallowed by a great fish, he realized his error and said, “I will sacrifice to the Lord with the voice of thanksgiving” and God gave him a second chance to follow His will (Jon. 2:9,10).
In each of these events, God’s people may not have been as thankful as they should have been. However, by realizing God’s wonderful care in blessing them by bringing them through hardships and sparing them from death, it produced thankful hearts. With this in mind, the command to be thankful in the body of Christ is produced by the fact that God has spared us from death through the sacrifice of Jesus (Rom. 8:32; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 3:18). As we are richly blessed in our lives each day, it can be easy to forget that we’ve been spared from death and that is why we have this simple, yet pointed command is here. In humbleness and loving obedience to God, let each Christian remember the benefits of being in the kingdom of God and be thankful for the blessing of salvation.
~Derrick Coble
When Noah was spared from the rampant wickedness of the world and the violent flood waters that destroyed the earth, he showed his thankfulness by building an altar and sacrificing to the Lord (Gen. 8:20). When Israel was being heavily burdened by the Egyptians afflicting them, God brought them out with a “mighty hand” and “outstretched arm” (Exo. 1:11; Deu. 26:8). They sang a song of thankfulness to God exalting Him (Exo. 15:1,2). When the Jews in the days of Esther were saved from death by her request to the king and God’s providence, there was gladness and feasting in thankfulness (Est. 9:17-19). Finally, when Jonah tried to flee from the presence of the Lord and was swallowed by a great fish, he realized his error and said, “I will sacrifice to the Lord with the voice of thanksgiving” and God gave him a second chance to follow His will (Jon. 2:9,10).
In each of these events, God’s people may not have been as thankful as they should have been. However, by realizing God’s wonderful care in blessing them by bringing them through hardships and sparing them from death, it produced thankful hearts. With this in mind, the command to be thankful in the body of Christ is produced by the fact that God has spared us from death through the sacrifice of Jesus (Rom. 8:32; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 3:18). As we are richly blessed in our lives each day, it can be easy to forget that we’ve been spared from death and that is why we have this simple, yet pointed command is here. In humbleness and loving obedience to God, let each Christian remember the benefits of being in the kingdom of God and be thankful for the blessing of salvation.
~Derrick Coble