Living Thankful: Thanksgiving in Colossae
Introduction
Text
Body
Thankful for people (1:3-4)
Explanation
Illustration
Application
Thankful for salvation (1:11-12)
Explanation
The text describes this as heartfelt, genuine thankfulness that grows out of the experience of salvation. Christians should never forget what God has done for them, and they should allow that life-changing experience to bring them daily joy. Here the thanksgiving is directed to God himself, rather than Jesus Christ. Paul wanted believers to realize that the plan of salvation was initiated by God the Father. It was accomplished by God the Son. Often Christians direct their thanks to Christ. It is a proper form of praise. In this context, however, Paul pointed first to the Father’s role. The role of the Son is described later (1:15–20). God is to be thanked because he qualified believers for an inheritance (1:12); he rescued believers from darkness (1:13a); and he brought believers into the Son’s kingdom (1:13b). Thus, those who walk in the will of God are conscious of their salvation. They continually thank God for it.
Illustration
Application
Thankful in life (2:6-7)
Explanation
Paul frequently employed thankfulness as one of the litmus tests of Christian health. He assumed that Christians would live in an attitude of thankfulness for the many blessings bestowed upon them. By contrast, one of the first indicators of departure from God is a lack of thanksgiving (e.g., Rom 1:21ff.). The deep roots of the faith evidence themselves in an attitude of gratitude for both the initial experience of salvation and the continued sustaining of life. Faith and the nature of a Christian foundation are often invisible, but thanksgiving is a visible response to the grace of God in their lives.
This section ends with a return to the idea of thanksgiving. “Giving thanks to the Father” occurs in 1:12, which introduced the many reasons thanksgiving is appropriate. They relate to salvation. Now, after the lengthy theological and practical discussion since that passage, Paul characterized a Christian’s thanksgiving as going through Jesus to the Father. Thus God is to be thanked for delivering believers from darkness and placing them in the kingdom of his Son through the work of the Son. Paul made explicit in this epistle the fact that God comes to the world through Jesus and the world comes to God through him as well. The believers had access to God because of the work of the Son of God. Their thanks was to rise to the ears of God through his Son.
Illustration
Application
Thankful in worship (3:15-17)
Explanation
Paul ended this exhortation with the command to become thankful. Colossians contains many references to thankfulness. This particular word, however, does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. The Colossians were to become thankful persons. The combination of thankfulness and peace is a logical one. Generally a lack of peace results from self-seeking or dissatisfaction with things as they are. Thankfulness points one to the realization that all things are provided in Christ. There is no room for ill will or bitterness if thankfulness prevails. The epistle provides ample reasons for thankfulness.
This section ends with a return to the idea of thanksgiving. “Giving thanks to the Father” occurs in 1:12, which introduced the many reasons thanksgiving is appropriate. They relate to salvation. Now, after the lengthy theological and practical discussion since that passage, Paul characterized a Christian’s thanksgiving as going through Jesus to the Father. Thus God is to be thanked for delivering believers from darkness and placing them in the kingdom of his Son through the work of the Son. Paul made explicit in this epistle the fact that God comes to the world through Jesus and the world comes to God through him as well. The believers had access to God because of the work of the Son of God. Their thanks was to rise to the ears of God through his Son.
Illustration
Application
Thankful in prayer (4:2)
Explanation
Thankfulness is the environment for good praying, and it provides a safeguard for informed praying. Paul’s circumstances could have been discouraging as he awaited trial for the gospel. To ensure a proper perspective, Paul urged that their prayer be offered in an attitude of thanks. This kind of prayer sees clearly the obstacles and difficulties but recognizes that God is able to work. The circumstances need not affect one’s joy.