When I began this year of thanksgiving blogs, even tho’ I was a frequent advocate of a thankful lifestyle, I had no idea how absolutely fundamental and essential thanksgiving was in our relationship with the Lord. It’s strange how, once the Lord has brought something to our attention, we ‘see’ it in places where previously it passed us by. When reading through the letter to the Colossians recently, I was struck by the number of times that Paul encouraged ‘thanksgiving’, either by example or by exhortation.
One of Paul’s major reasons for writing the letter was to help the Colossians fight off false teaching. He majors on the supremacy and the centrality of Christ, and on how we need to live as His body on earth, but it is also laced with Paul’s encouragements to be grateful and thankful.
He writes, ‘We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Jesus Christ and the love you have for all the saints.’ Colossians 1:3. Now that is a good habit to develop, to always start your prayers for others with thanksgiving for them. It is also a good way to start a conversation with someone, by letting them know that you thank God for them. It will open their heart to you and any message that you bring.
After bringing some warnings about false teachers Paul then writes, ‘So then just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.’ Colossians 2:6. So it’s not just about encouraging someone to get their doctrine right, it’s about making sure that their hearts are connecting with the Lord by ‘overflowing with thankfulness’. Something I believe we have been endeavouring to do throughout this year.
In the next chapter, Paul encourages holy and godly living before addressing them on their attitudes towards each other. In one of the most beautiful passages ever written on how to be with each other he writes, ‘Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love with binds them all together in perfect unity.’
He then continues, ‘Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:15-17. Clearly thanksgiving for each other is like the oil that flows between us, bringing ease and peace between all the members of the body.
In his final exhortations before the final greetings Paul writes, ‘Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2. And there it is again, an encouragement to always to stay thankful, even while praying for others, and being aware of difficulties and challenges.
It is worth reminding ourselves too, that Paul wrote all this encouragement to thankfulness not from a comfortable home, but from prison, far from home, and unsure of his future. In these days of ‘Influencers’ Paul is indeed someone whose example it is well worth following.
