The Spirit of Thanksgiving

The proper place of thanks giving in our lives not only sanctifies us but it condemns the world. The unredeemed are perplexed and angered when they see in us a thankful spirit.

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The spirit of thanksgiving invaded some of our homes this week. It is queer how, while knowing we ought always to be thankful, the habit is so little practiced. I am like you. We are all busy, distracted might be accurate. Life, in its multi-facets careens around us. Ohhhh, shiny object, look what I bought! See ya, I am off to work, or, finally home – gotta snack? Life rolls past and somehow in its daily clutter we rarely remember, or better, discipline ourselves, to give thanks in all things. In this respect we are imitating the world.

The Apostle Paul instructed, (Romans1:21) “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” This is the way of it then. People who “knew God”, meaning in this case that they knew some general things about “His invisible attributes, His eternal power, and divine nature (vs.20)”, they were the ones “who did not honor Him as God or give thanks.” They, with only their general knowledge, are condemned for not giving thanks, and, God darkened their foolish hearts. This provides instruction for us, in that we learn, failing to give thanks leads to a darkened heart. As in all of life, sin leads to further darkness. Hence, learning to give thanks transforms us. It is one of those acts of repentance that turns us around and wrenches our faces toward the light.

The proper place of thanks giving in our lives not only sanctifies us but it condemns the world. The unredeemed are perplexed and angered when they see in us a thankful spirit. We often love the world, and this explains why we are so nervous when we give thanks for our food in public (also, it confuses the waiters who do not know what to do when our heads are bowed). Our thankful attitude is a public testimony to the power of God in our lives. However, unredeemed men have no true heart desire to give thanks. Listening to NPR on Thanksgiving (Turkey Day), my wife told me she heard hours of talk about feasting, but nary a syllable regarding thankfulness. Worldlings have taken the thanks out of Thanksgiving, just as they took Christ out of Christmas. They do not know who to thank. True religion terrifies them.

Paul further wrote, “We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you” (Colossians. 3:1), and “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers” (1 Thessalonians 1:2), and “I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day “ (2 Timothy 1:4). Paul fixes the thankful heart to the practice of prayer. It is impossible to be soulfully thankful but neglectful in prayer. Thanksgiving drives us to the throne of God. It is there we are reminded to pray for the brethren. Our thankfulness redounds to the church which, through Christ, redeems the world.

These are the lessons of thankfulness. Our thankful living and thankful lives give testimony of Someone greater Who makes true thanks possible. We are a living witness to our God and His saving power. Thank you Lord for each of these benefits.

For Christian Culture,

Don Schanzenbach, 11-25-12

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