Are You Thankful?
In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Thanksgiving is Easier Said than Done
Most of us would answer the thankfulness question with an affirmative “Yes” until we consider the meaning and the extent of being thankful. Thankfulness is more of a way of life rather than a recital of words or a date of celebration. It would do us well to fully understand the depth of true thankfulness.
In his letter to the Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul describes them as believers who received the Word in much affliction while at the same time, they possessed the Joy of the Holy Spirit. (1 Thess. 1:6). The Thessalonians possessed a thankfulness that inspired other followers of Christ in Macedonia and Achaia and the entire world. Paul gave thanks to God for several key things that the Thessalonians represented.
First, when they heard the Word of the God, they received it as God’s Word and not the teachings of men. 1 Thess. 2:13, for this cause also we thank God without ceasing, because when you received the Word of God that you heard from us, you did not receive it as the word of men, but as it is in Truth, the Word of God, which works effectively in you that believe. This had made all the difference and as a result had transformed them from pagans to true believers in Christ.
Paul expressed thankfulness also because the Thessalonians remembered the labors of Paul and his Gospel partners, and that they were continuing in the work of the Lord. (1 Thess. 3:6). Many of the Churches that Paul established were having tremendous problems. Some, like the Church at Corinth, had become prideful and allowed sinful practices, while others were falling into the false teachings of deceivers and false prophets. This was reason to give thanks that the faith of the Thessalonians was still strong.
Prior to closing his letter, Paul gave a broad sweeping admonition to live the thankful life. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. At first glance, this verse is impossible due to the many “things” that can and will go wrong in this life. It is one thing to give thanks for daily provision and God’s help. But to give God thanks for the tough times, the losses, the pain, and the struggle, is impossible from the human perspective.
Also consider the extent thankfulness; it should line up with God’s will. So, giving thanks is not only something we do, but also something we do to fulfill God’s Will. I don’t know about you, but I’m still struggling to keep the faith on good days. And for those tough moments, those trying times, and those valley days, my thankfulness is limited by circumstances. “I’m hanging in there” and I admit that’s a far cry from being truly thankful.
What do you do when you get laid off or fired from your job? What do you do when you get sick from COVID or some other ailment? What do you do when a family member suddenly dies? For most of us, our honest attitude is that we are just trying to keep our head above water (metaphorically speaking). Does Paul really mean what he says? And if yes, we need to figure out both the meaning and the impact of giving God thanks. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. So here is the challenge: are you thankful?
The Foundation of Thanksgiving
If we are to accept the challenge of thankfulness, we need a great example of thanksgiving. It would be impossible to understand the demand of thanksgiving without some idea of what thanksgiving truly means. The example can be found in none other than our Lord Jesus Christ. He suffered more than any other and yet He was always filled with thanks to the Heavenly Father. Jesus said, I thank You Father that You hear Me … and I know that you always hear Me: but because of the people which are standing by I said it, that they may believe that You have sent Me. John 11:41-42. This prayer that Jesus prayed helps us understand the foundation of thanksgiving. First, thanksgiving reveals the confidence that God hears us as we pray. Jesus had no doubts when He prayed to His Father. Why? It is because He was thankful. Many of us pray amid a sea of doubts because we are worried about what we don’t have rather than being grateful for what we do have. Thanksgiving is the remedy for doubting hearts.
The second foundation on which thankfulness rests is the confidence that God is God. Jesus demonstrated His confidence that God is God. Thanksgiving is our way of saying to God, Lord you have this under control because You are Almighty. Notice the confidence of Jesus as He prayed, Father I thank You that You hear Me. When we give thanks, we too acknowledge that God is God. Our focus shifts from the worries prompted by the need to the One who provides for our need. Giving thanks recognizes God rather than the problem.
The third foundation of the thanksgiving is that it builds faith. As Jesus gave thanks to the Father, those who were standing by (including us who read this passage), now have their faith strengthened. It makes us realize that everything in our faith rests on the relationship between Jesus Christ and God. As a result of thanksgiving, we acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the very foundation of our faith.
This is how the Apostle Paul expressed his confidence while giving thanks to God. It was a way of saying to God, “our full confidence is in You.” Thanksgiving reveals that God hears us. Thanksgiving reveals the confidence that God is God and He is always victorious over every situation. Thanksgiving reveals the confidence we have in Jesus Christ as the foundation of our faith. This is what Paul meant when he said, In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
The Spirit is Honored in Thanksgiving
Have you ever thought about why Paul would place such a high demand on thanksgiving? Why did the Thessalonians need this admonition? As matter of fact, Paul’s prompting to give thanks in everything, was one of several powerful statements of worship. He gave seven admonitions to believers and tells them how the Life of the Spirit operates in the soul of the believer in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22.
Rejoice evermore. (Always have Joy).
Pray without ceasing. (Always pray).
In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (Always give thanks).
Don’t quench the Spirit. (Always be Spirit led).
Despise not prophesying. (Always love the proclaimed Word).
Prove all things; hold fast to that which is good. (Always test for the best).
Abstain from all appearance of evil. (Always do the right thing).
The key to doing any of these seven principles of Christian living hinges on the Power of the Holy Spirit. This is not a check list for human achievement. This is the work of the Holy Spirit’s Power in the believer. Think about it. Why would Paul admonish believers to do something that was impossible? Yet, we would agree that these admonitions are impossible if it were left to human effort. It is only through God’s Spirit that we can accomplish these things. To that end, Paul says, don’t quench the Holy Spirit. This simply means don’t extinguish the flame of the Holy Spirit that He has lit in your heart. The key to maintaining that continuous flame is thanksgiving.
With that in mind, the question reemerges, ARE YOU THANKFUL? Are you thankful when times are good? Are you thankful when times are bad? Are you thankful when there is good health as well as weak health? Are you thankful when the Lord gives and when the Lord takes away? Can you say with Job, the Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the Name of the Lord? Job 1:21.
The Apostle Paul shared the power of thanksgiving from his own experience. This was what he followed. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. The Book of Acts records many of the challenges that Paul faced, including his imprisonment. How did Paul do when it came to giving God thanks in a time of crisis? Well, Acts 27 tells us what he did; he gave thanks to God. On his way to a trial before Caesar, the ship that carried Paul along with two hundred seventy five people encountered a storm of storms. Immediately, this Eu-roc-ly-don storm became the center of everyone’s attention except for Paul. Not only did he give thanks, but he also encouraged others to give thanks and not lose heart. Acts 27:35-36, And when he had spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat … then they were all filled with good cheer… You might say, Paul practiced what he preached. What about you? Are you willing to be thankful in your storms of life? It will bring you joy and remind you that God still cares for you. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.