Thanksgiving

By: Zong Moua

Bible Passage: Ephesians 5:20

“always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;”

Summary

It’s that time again, where the family comes together to sit around a table decked with Autumn-themed décor supposedly depicting the historical event when the Pilgrims and the Natives first feasted together in 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts. We have no clue if the feast included a large golden-brown glazed turkey as its centerpiece with mash potatoes and stuffing, and a designated time where everyone goes around “giving thanks.” But that’s how we do Thanksgiving today. And usually the responses heard around the table relate to events that have occurred year-to-date, a testimony of struggles and victories, and usually ending (or beginning) with the cliché tagline of, “I thank God, because if it wasn’t for God, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.”

Giving thanks to God is a biblical expression, but to give thanks to God glibly and superficially would be to offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to which God has no regard (Gen. 4:5). Giving thanks is a sign of gratitude; a sign of appreciation. It’s an expression of acknowledging what was done for you, and in this case, what God has done for you. The expression is found 38 times in the New Testament and is used to describe a person who depends on God’s grace moment by moment, a lifestyle only made possible under the control of the Spirit.

In Ephesians 5:20, giving thanks is grouped together with being filled with the Spirit. Instead of getting drunk with wine, which leads to senselessness, be controlled by the Spirit, which in contrast, leads to singing and making melody in your heart and always giving thanks to the Lord for all things. What are the “all things?” It’s everything God has ordained to occur in your life and in the world, whether good or bad, because everything comes from God (Romans 9:22-24).

As Christians, giving thanks because the circumstances call for it, is normal. So normal, that even a non-Christian gives thanks since the rain falls on them just as it falls on us (Matthew 5:45). But what is encouraged by the Apostle Paul is a Spirit of Thankfulness. This is a “giving thanks always for all things.” And that is only possible in the grace and power of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of all blessings (James 1:17), and He expects our gratitude (1 Thess. 5:18).

Therefore, this Thanksgiving, don’t be a fool with a darken heart and not give thanks to God sincerely with understanding (Romans 1:21). Instead, be reminded that the devil moves in when a Christian starts to complain, but a Spirit of Thanksgiving defeats the devil and glorifies the Lord.

Reflect

Besides the glamor of your life and accomplishments this year, are you thankful that God has saved a wretch like you? If not, repent of your sins and come to Lord to receive the Spirit of Thanksgiving that will set you free from your burdens and sins.

Pray Father, the giver of life. May I, being a simple creature, keep my gaze upon your holiness that sets you apart from me, and understand the chasm that separates us. How infinitely large the chasm is, yet, how unfathomable it is that you have brought me near through the blood of your Son, Jesus Christ. And because of that, I thank you that I am are allowed to know you and be in your blessings because of what Christ has done for a wretch lik