Thanksgiving in Colossae
Turkeys are cooking, cranberries are being washed, and the family table is being prepared for a yearly feast. However, Thanksgiving is not simply a once-a-year event for the Christian. Those who have been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ have reason to rejoice every day and to thank the Lord for the great blessings He has given. The Apostle Paul certainly believed this and encouraged the Christians at Colossae to have a life permeated with thanks. Throughout this short and powerful epistle, the apostle admonished these first-century Christians to live a life that overflows with thanksgiving. His encouragement also extends to those of the twenty-first century.
In chapter 1 of the epistle, Paul explained the qualities that mark a worthy life. Included in these qualities are bearing fruit, growing in knowledge, and finding strength in God. Verse 12, however, takes the list one step further to demonstrate that a Christian’s worthy life must also encompass the giving of thanks. As the Christian examines his life, he appreciates the great blessing of qualifying to share in the inheritance of the kingdom and being translated from the realm of darkness into the kingdom of the dear Son. Considering these great blessings, the one seeking a worthy life will constantly fall in praise to the God who provided His own Son for salvation.
Chapter 2 also adds to the concept of thanksgiving. As the Christian considers Jesus Christ, he knows the great price that was paid for salvation. Because of this, he seeks to walk in the ways of Christ, to be rooted and built up in Christ, and to be established in the faith. With this, he abounds in thanksgiving for what has been done. The word “abound,” as used by the apostle, literally means to overflow the perimeter. The concept is that the one who keeps Jesus Christ central is the one whose life will overflow in praise and thanks to Him. When this is done, there will be no opportunity given to fall away from this great Savior. However, the apostle warns that faith can be lost if Jesus is not given the place He deserves. Verse 8 describes those who are led astray because they allow other doctrines and philosophies to hold the place that should be held by the Son of God. When the Christian’s life overflows with thanksgiving, he never allows the opportunity for this loss.
Chapter 3 takes thanksgiving into the realm of worship. As Paul admonishes Christians to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, he instructs that this be done with “thankfulness in your hearts to God” (vs. 16). Singing is a form of worship that illustrates the overflow of the heart. It is as if the Christian is so full of praise and devotion, he can do nothing but allow this to flow out in songs that give thanks to God. When Christians take occasion to worship God in song, they allow those around to know of this overflow; therefore, singing is the verbal acknowledgement of thanks for all that God has done. It is also teaching others to share in this spirit of thanksgiving in remembering what God has done for them.
Finally, chapter 4 links thanksgiving to the prayers of the Christian. As Paul admonished the Christians of Colossae to pray, he instructed them to be steadfast and watchful in their prayers (vs. 2). He also instructed them to be thankful when they pray. For every Christian, there are times when prayers of thanksgiving need to be offered to God. When such prayers are prayed, personal wants and needs should be forgotten, the cares of life should be put away, and total devotion should be given to thanking God for His bountiful blessings. When this is done, the Christian is reminded of the greatness of God and how He showers His people with daily blessings.
As you enjoy a day of thanks this week, take time to spend thanksgiving in Colossae. Feast upon the rich teachings of the Apostle Paul as he reminds the faithful of their need to overflow in thanksgiving to God. When this is done, God will be glorified by a grateful people who know they are nothing without Him and who desire to honor and thank Him for the rich blessings He has no beneficently provided.
