Thanksgiving

The American holiday of Thanksgiving is a time when Christians reflect on God’s grace and love. For believers, of course, giving thanks to God is not confined to a single day, but is the keynote of our lives and the center of all our worship.

The Bible has more than 550 references to thankfulness.

Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:19-20: “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. 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.”

Because they were devoted to giving thanks to God for everything, Greek-speaking Christians gave the name eucharist, which means “thanksgiving,” to the Lord’s Supper.

And no wonder, because the greatest gift of all is the gift of God's Son, Jesus Christ. He has washed away all our sins and includes us in the fellowship he has with the Father.

In Jesus, we find that the Father loves us unconditionally. We find that he sent his Son not out of anger or a need to punish someone, but out of his immeasurable love and his unbending commitment to our redemption.

Even though none of us deserve God’s favor, he loves us anyway. And he not only forgives all our sins, but also sends the Holy Spirit to live in us and transform us into people who love others just as God loves us.

The apostle Paul wrote in Titus 2:11-14: “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.  It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”

No matter where you go and what you do, God will never give up on you. He loves you, and he not only saves you, but also transforms you by his Spirit so that you can experience a life of love with him and with your fellow human beings.

Is it any wonder that the Bible has so many references to giving thanks? What other response could we have to such amazing good news?

Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 9:15, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”

Yes, on Thanksgiving Day, as on every day, we have much to give thanks for, because God has saved us and made us his own through Jesus Christ.

I’m Joseph Tkach, speaking of life.

Copyright 2008 Grace Communion International