THANKSGIVING!
We are on the brink of the day of gluttony; a day that concludes with unbuttoned pants, moaning from the sofa, football games and cat naps, a day of family and games, and sometimes a day to give thanks.
Many a holiday has its roots in a wonderful concept and idea; however, over time and commercially driven, the original idea is often lost. Traditions rooted deeply in God and family still persist, but seem to be rarer and rarer.
So, the first “Thought” I would like to share, is along the lines of what has caused the original concept of thanksgiving to be forgotten or lost!
INGRATITUDE –
Ingratitude is the opposite of thanksgiving in every aspect and can even lead to returning evil for good. The root of ingratitude is the failure to appreciate something received. This often happens because the item given was not earned, not seen as a blessing, or the one giving the gift is not appreciated.
As our societies drift farther and farther into an entitlement state where there is an expectation of receiving verses giving and earning, and we drift further and further from God; we find far more ingratitude than thankfulness!
From the beginning, people have failed to seek satisfaction in the right place; they have simply sought to fulfill longings with literal food, lusts of the flesh, human knowledge, wealth, and political power of various kinds.
Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.”
This is the path of ingratitude; self-serving, ungracious, and unthankful. Paul states that such are the enemies of Christ; “Whose god is their bellies” – “Who set their mind on earthly things” (Philippians 3:19).
The child that has not been taught to be thankful; has not learned to respect authority, is riotous, self-serving, spoiled, and undisciplined towards anything productive or of true value. This is the case for the child of man, or the child of God!!!
Ingratitude sounds like this:
“Why do bad things always happen to me?” “Why does he have more than me?” “I wish I had?”
This ungracious self-serving desire is the knife that slices through our relationship with the Father of every good and perfect gift from above (James 1:17), families, marriages, and any wholesome life experience (Philippians 2:3). James teaches that this is the source of all temptation (James 1:14-15), and the source of all conflict and enmity (James 4:1).
Now, for the second part of this “Thought”; let's take a look at the character of thanks that would be far more appropriate for a child of God.
THANKFULNESS –
As described in scripture, is simply a disposition of gratitude (a humble and gracious appreciation for the receipt of something). A realization that there is value in something that should be the focus of our mind, and a true appreciation of who has given it to us; verses what else we could have.
There is a statement of Paul to the Thessalonian Christians that should be something we should take notice of to truly appreciate the idea of thanksgiving:
1 Thessalonians 5:18 “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
“In everything!” Did you notice that there were no conditions of good or bad circumstances? Paul simply states that in whatever condition you find yourself as a child of God, be thankful.
Easy for him to say, you might think!
He not only said it, but demonstrated it right along-side of Silas while they were in Philippi, note:
Acts 16:24-25 “Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.”
This is a pure demonstration of a gracious appreciation and clear understanding of the true value of a gift. What gift could be so valuable that one can find thanksgiving even in the face of persecution and suffering?
Colossians 1:12-14 “giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”
1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”
There is even instruction concerning the fact that suffering and persecution, in and of itself, can be a gift worthy of thanksgiving!
1 Peter 4:12-13 “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”
As a final point to share in this “Thought”; thanksgiving is not something the Christian is to consider as a singular occurrence!
Ephesians 5:20 “giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”
Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Thankfulness is a character that finds itself as a close associate to the character of contentment (Philippians 4:11). It is a character born of clear and concise appreciation for things that transcend the earthly (Philippians 3:20-21). An educated character that allows taking whatever state we find ourselves in this life and say, Romans 6:17-18 “But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.”
When it [looks] like everyone else has it better; give thanks that we can [see]!
Give thanks that we have [seen] the light!
John 1:4 “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”
Have a Happy Life Long Thanksgiving!