LIGHT FOR A THANKFUL LIFE (2)

“GIVING THANKS ALWAYS for ALL THINGS to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” – Ephesians 5:20

Paul, the Apostle was an Exemplar and Model of LIGHT for a THANKFUL LIFE: “GIVING THANKS ALWAYS for ALL THINGS to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph.5:20). Paul encouraged Believers by his own example, to be thankful ALWAYS and FOR ALL THINGS. Earlier, he had reminded us as Believers that we are now LIGHT in the Lord; hence we must WALK as CHILDREN of LIGHT, finding out what is acceptable to the Lord (vv.8-10). He admonished us to “not be unwise, but understand what the WILL of the LORD is” (v.17). It is the Will of God that Believers “be filled with the Spirit” (v.18). And a vital part of the overflow of the Spirit-filled Life is Thanksgiving!

Paul was a man who had every reason to be bitter – but was not! Holed up in the Roman prison, the next footsteps in the corridor, he knew, might be those of the guards taking him away to his execution. His only bed was the hard, cold stone floor of the dank, cramped prison cell. Not an hour passed when he was free from the relentless irritation of the chains and the pain of the iron shackles cutting into his wrists and legs. Separated from friends, unjustly accused, brutally treated; if ever a person had a right to complain, it was this man, languishing almost forgotten in a harsh Roman prison. But instead of complaints, his lips rang with words of praise and thanksgiving!

The Apostle Paul had learned the meaning of true thanksgiving, even in the midst of severe adversity. Imprisoned physically, but free in his spirit, He wrote: “Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph.5:19-20, NIV). Let’s ponder on those words: “ALWAYS GIVING THANKS to GOD...for EVERYTHING” – no matter the circumstances! Beloved, are you thankful no matter what? Am I thankful always and for everything? Thanksgiving for the Apostle Paul was not an occasional or once-a-year celebration, but a daily reality that changed his life and made him a joyful person in every situation.

All through the Scriptures, we are commanded to be thankful. Thankfulness is the natural outflowing of a heart that is attuned to God. The psalmist declared, “Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving” (Psa.147:7). Thankfulness precedes a Word-enriched life: “...BE THANKFUL. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly...” (Col.3:15b-16). Ingratitude is a sin, just as surely as is lying, stealing, or immorality. One of the Bible’s indictments against rebellious humanity is that “although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were THANKFUL” (Rom.1:21). An ungrateful heart is cold toward God and indifferent to His Mercy and Love. A grateful heart trusts in God always and for everything.