“With Thanksgiving” (Col 3:17-4:4)

“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving” (Col 4:2).

A key to gospel obedience is thankfulness.  I cannot be the husband or wife that I’m commanded, unless I’m thankful to God for grace (Col 3:17). But, when thankfulness hits me, then I’m powered by God.

I’m no longer judging the spouse or taking out my frustration on the children, but I’m liberated to serve in love that comes from believing God’s love to me. He has saved me, saves me, and He shall save me eventually from sin completely.  I have power, not by will power, but by election, predestination, and grace.

I’m forgiven, not because I’m sinless, but because Christ PAID for my sins, even as the sins of Israel were placed upon the head of the living goat, and he was sent away into the wilderness: the Lord Jesus bore my sins away with blood, paying the whole that I owe, so that God RECKONED Him the transgressor, instead of me - “And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited” (Lev 16:22).

I can be a servant to my boss because I serve the Lord Christ - “And whatsoever you do, do it from the heart, as to the Lord, and not unto men, knowing that of the Lord you shall receive the reward of the inheritance, for you serve the Lord Christ“ (Col 3:23-24). 

Some say, “Forgiveness means that I don’t have to obey”, but they are wrong.  Pardon is the great motive of obedience.  The Indian Chief told the missionary man, “Jesus do so much for me, in thankfulness, I give Jesus me”, and that’s how we thank God. We live the commanded life, confessing it is right to honor God who is good - “And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him“ (Col 3:17).

We are not serving to ease the conscience, for Christ cleanses us from all sin; we serve because we’re clean, ever so freely.  Now, rather than be hard and proud, taking my authority as an occasion to the flesh, I’m fair and just, I’m kind and gentle; I’m motivated by GRACE to be gracious, rather than exalting myself as lord (Col 3:21; 4:1) .  I see Jesus is worthy of glory, and He must have it, so I praise Him by how I live.

If you’ll be prayerful and powerful, then be thankful in prayer, not just complaining and lusting, but THANKING Him for what you have and the power of obedience (Col 4:2).  You’ll bless God for His salvation, and in His service, you’ll have joy.

As you’re thankful for what you have, you experience more reason to praise Him.  If you pray in thankfulness, then you know that He’s good, and you pray for His will to be done, acknowledging that He gives you Christ and obedience, whether He gives you other things or not.  You have the sure promises, and you know that you’ll get these, even if children, a spouse, a new job, etc, are not His will for you.

The thankful person is humble and happy; their eye is on Christ.  The unthankful person can’t love: you do everything to make up for what you don’t have.  You are like the Israelites who wanted “flesh” to eat, because they hated Christ, the Bread of Heaven.  And, when I’m unsatisfied with Christ, as if the wife or the job will make me happy, then I’m trying to find pleasure where it cannot be.  But, when I rejoice in my unsearchable riches, I can make my request known, knowing that I have so much in Christ whom I really need, and He won’t be denied me. I might not get earthly wealth and happiness in treasures, but I have and shall obtain the Spirit of Christ to obey Him, be saved, and do others good.

This fills the heart.  Our reward isn’t from parents and loved ones; it is from Christ Himself, so we’re thankful for what’s coming as we obey, even joy and peace.