The Apostle Paul wrote about thanksgiving in Colossians 2: verses 6 and 7 – As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
The root of Thanksgiving is the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul also wrote that by him all things were created and in him all things consist. As Christians we can rejoice and be thankful for all that we have received. True joy goes beyond the things we have and lends it’s voice to eternity. Redemption isn’t bound by temporal things, nor is our thanks to God.
Paul wrote that we should walk in Christ. Jesus was able to love with a perfect love, something we can not achieve by our own efforts. How much should we thank God for the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit that leads and guides us to all truth.
The Gospel of John records the prayer that Jesus prayed, revealing the source and the place where love lives: John 17: 24 to 26- Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
May our prayer for one another be that God’s love would not only live in us, but be shown to the world in our joy and thankfulness. As you share time with family and friend in this time of Thanksgiving, remember those that aren’t as fortunate. Material blessing abound in this country we live in, but not to all, for a variety of reasons. There are also many that are suffering for a variety of reasons. But the Love of God is the one blessing that has no limit or is in short supply. As Christians we have been loved, and return love to God, and are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Being rooted and built up in Christ as we read, we can abound with thanksgiving. May it shine in a way that all men would desire to know the One that we believe in and are rooted in, who is the source of Love.
Pastor Stan
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