[continue to live your lives in him]… and overflowing with thankfulness.
Summary: Understanding why Christians should be thankful requires understanding the fundamentals of what it means to have faith in Jesus Christ.
Paul expects us to be thankful.
This is a theme that comes up often in his writing. In this instance, he connects our life in Christ to thankfulness.
Why?
Why should we be thankful?
From a worldly perspective, being Christian is no big deal. In fact, in most places, being Christian gets you picked on, harassed, canceled, and in some cases, beat up or imprisoned (just like Paul!) (Colossians 1:24).
But Paul isn’t seeing through a worldly lens. He doesn’t expect us to, either.
What Paul sees is something beyond this world. In a sense, we must look inside ourselves to see “outside” this world.
If we are honest, when we look inside ourselves without Christ, we see loneliness, anxiety, and fear. We see a world tainted by guilt and hurt. Hurt others have caused us and the hurt we have inflicted on others. We see a hunger and need that things of this world cannot meet.
When we recognize our need for God and understand that Jesus is our means of reconciliation with God, we suddenly discover that we have hope. We not only hope for forgiveness and restoration but hope for becoming more of the person we want to be. So, the first thing Paul is thankful for is real hope.
Part and parcel with hope comes forgiveness. Paul writes, “For he [God] has rescued us from the dominion of darkness… “ (Colossians 1:13). Life in the “dominion of darkness” is a life of condemnation. We can pretend we will not end up in the lake of fire, but deep inside, we know that pretending doesn’t change reality. Forgiveness does!
Forgiveness is the knowledge that when our time comes to face the consequences of sin, Jesus will be there with us. One nail-scarred hand will embrace our shoulders while the other will be held up as a sign of authority. “They’re with me,” will be the unspoken message. Within the safety of our Lord’s protection, we walk past the judgment throne and enter into the Kingdom of God.
While we wait for that day, Jesus is with us every day. His Holy Spirit enters into our inner being. The Light of God illuminates our world, chasing the darkness away. If you haven’t experienced this, you won’t know what we are talking about. If you have, you know why Paul expects us to be thankful.
Application: Gaze at the Father and count your blessings.
Food for Thought: How is a person who “overflows with thankfulness” different than someone who is just thankful?
How is a person who “overflows with thankfulness” different than someone who is just thankful?
I think in very simple terms a person who “overflows with thankfulness” has an overwhelming understanding of just what they have received and have an overwhelming desire to give back, and a person who is just thankful is content in what they have received.
If it were a spinning ball, being thankful keep the ball spinning at the same speed, being overflowing with thankfulness is spinning the ball faster.
One can “sing songs of praise” and one can “express heartfelt gratitude through song.” I’m not passing judgment on the motivation behind singing to the Lord, I think both are expressions of praise. I think there are times when both are pleasing to the Lord. I think “songs of praise” can make someone thankful, but when a person takes the opportunity to truly remember just how saved we are, it transcends into deep humility and gratitude, and becomes a heartfelt expression. It becomes more of a conversation between someone and the Lord. That kind of overflowing thankfulness motivates us to act in Christ. Share His gospel, help others in His name, and turn from our own sin in unquestionable willing obedience to Him.
Colossians 3:15-17 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful
Thank you, Chris!
I definitely see the correlation between “overwhelming understanding” of God’s gifts and “overflowing with thankfulness.”
How do we “build up” in Jesus? How is a person who “overflows with thankfulness” different than someone who is just thankful?
HOW DO WE “BUILD UP, IN JESUS?
Turn from giving world achievements our priority, as we respond to the calling of God, seeking His will for our lives over our own through Jesus Christ.
We live knowing we are creations of God who knows our names, and loves each and every one of His creations. Isaiah 43:1, John 3:16
We receive Gods call for all mankind to return to Him.
No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. John 6:44,
We quickly receive the Holy Spirit conviction of the world of sin, righteousness, and of judgment to come. John 16:8
We seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
HOW IS A PERSON WHO “OVERFLOWS WITH THANKFULNESS” DIFFERENT THAN SOMEONE WHO IS JUST THANKFUL?”
Those who overflow in thankfulness are quick to share the source of their blessings with those around them. We have been given a gift beyond our capacity to fully understand and are compelled to share this with others, everyone we possibly can.
A person overflowing with thankfulness will notice others, will speak and listen to others, and will share with others as appropriate. Appropriately sharing the source of our thankfulness with others is a priority in our lives, and simply cannot be contained.
Thank you, Ron!
In short, being thankful changes us. Overflowing thankfulness is the result of radical change.
Amen!
Yes Sir, A lifelong journey, directed, and empowered by God.
Thanks Brother.