Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:5-18; Romans 8:20-25
Have you ever thought about making a list of all the
things that God has given you, and has done for you, that deserve your expression
of thanksgiving? If we are truly honest
about it, that list would be rather extensive!
In today’s epistles that were both written by the apostle Paul, he gives
us many reasons as to why we should be grateful to the Lord, but the list that
he offers is more general in faith than it is specific in those blessings and
gifts that believers have received throughout the centuries.
Imagine the thanksgiving that he could have offered
that solely surrounded his encounter with the Living Jesus on the road to
Damascus. As just a few examples, there
was God’s forgiveness for the many acts of persecution committed against Jesus
and His people; there was the personal words of love that were spoken to him;
there was the healing that was performed on his eyesight; there was the act of courage
and kindness that Ananias offered through his faithfulness and prophesy
regarding Paul’s future ministry with the Lord; and the list could go on! (Acts 9:1-19)
And as we put our own personal lists together, don’t
forget to include those acts of power and forgiveness that He has offered to
all who come to him in faith, for they are definitely gifts that God has spread
out upon you, too.
But what did Paul have to say specifically that we
should be claiming in our own walk with Jesus.
Read 2 Corinthians 4:5-12
This first reason for thankfulness may be one that
we have never actually considered before
- the gift of Godly Light that shines within us, and enables us
understand and appreciate the grace that empowers us to share the Lord’s grace,
love and word with other people. Now I
know that some folks are keenly unaware of the call that comes upon all
who give their lives to Jesus Christ. But
in Ephesians 3:4-7, we read that we Gentiles “are
heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers
together in the promise in Christ Jesus.”
We are all “sharers” in Jesus’ gifts, and as such, are to share our
gifts with one another, as in 1 Timothy 6:17-19, where
we read that we are to be “generous and willing to share.”
And how far should this “sharing” extend? It goes as far as our love of God does; as
far as our gratitude for God’s blessings and gifts; as far as our love for
others, whether we know them, or agree with them, or not; or as far as the
truth of Christ’s salvation calls us to share His love with the people of this
world!
In verses 7-12, Paul writes that God’s “all-surpassing
power” has been given to us, but in no way is it intended to benefit or
define us! The mortality and humanity
that we live under will never be strengthened or improved until that day of
Christ’s return. Until that time, we
will continue to encounter all kinds of hardships in life, but we should never
interpret this to mean that God has turned against us! In this list of human frailties and God-given
relief that comes our way, these are the very support that we are, in turn, to
show to those who have only known the pain and failure that the world
brings upon them.
The “sharing” that we are called to bless others
with has nothing to do with our own limitations! We share the truth and power of God that has
sustained us throughout our own trials and struggles. We are to become an example of divine grace
that others might discover God and His ways for themselves.
Read 2 Corinthians 4:13-18
And the how and why of our ability to show others
the goodness and mercy of our precious Lord, and to assure them that Jesus has
always been “all in” for them, too, is all centered on the “spirit of faith”
that lives within each of us. And how
far will that spirit go for us? It will
take us to the point that we are able and willing to “believe and speak”
to others about Jesus and His gift of life eternal that is available for all
who come to Him in that same power of faith that we have come to know.
Is this a good enough reason for us to give God our
thanks for allowing us to be His disciple, and His example for reaching out to
the world around us? Are we prepared to
be a completely dedicated and submissive servant of Christ so that others can
see the power of God at work within and through us? Even though the power of death is at work all
around us, have we become a powerful, living, joyful, and thankful person to
the extent that “grace is overflowing to the glory of God”?
Others are going to see this in us, you know! They will be amazed at what they come to see
through us! And in their amazement, some
will only be touched to the point of ridicule and disbelief, while the eyes of
others will be opened to see the truth and grace of God unfold before them! (Acts 2:5-13; 40-41)
But we must never let the scoffers get to us – if we
keep our eyes fixed on the Lord and His gracious nature, victory and blessings
will dominate our understanding, and the denial of others will only become a
call to us to continue to show them the fullness of God’s mercy that has been
poured out on their behalf. Remember
Paul’s words – “that our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us
an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
Read Romans 8:20-25
Paul’s letter to the Romans is primarily laid out as
a message of encouragement to the Church.
In Romans 5:1-5,
we read that by faith, we have received grace as well as sufferings. But then the assurance is named – that
suffering produces perseverance, and from that comes character, and finally a
heart-felt hope that is ours for eternity.
Paul’s message is just this – that faith in Jesus Christ will never take
away the struggles and suffering that occur during this lifetime, but that God will always be with us during those
most difficult times.
In verse 22 above, he writes that it isn’t only we who are
suffering, but that all of creation is in the same mess as we are! And yet he compares it to the pains that come
through childbirth, which also has held out a unique form of hope for the life
that the Mom has carried for 9 months!
Mothers have understood this kind of hope ever since creation was
completed. The pain that they endure is
severe, but the hope and love that fills them is such that most mothers are
willing to suffer the pain of childbirth far more than just once!
The hope of Christ is one that we receive and
anticipate without proof and visual certainty.
But by faith in Jesus, we know that His promises are, in and of
themselves, certain and assured through all that we have come to know and
believe about our Lord. And we know, as
Paul wrote back in chapter 5, that our suffering can never take precedence over
faith, and that through faith, that God will see us through the most trying of
times - even when those times strive to break our resolve to trust in the Lord
beyond all other things.
And this is our reason for giving thanks – certainly
during this time of year, but also, in every moment, of every day, throughout
our lives. And not just as some
spiritual exercise, but as true love and appreciation for all that our Lord has
done on our behalf, and for all that He will continue to do for all who
believe, until the day He returns. And
on that day, we will receive the Lord’s certainty by presence and sight, when
everything that God has promised us is finally given, and seen and received, and
will be ours for all time.
And the words of that great hymn of faith “Trust andObey” will see us through –
When
we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still
And with all who will trust and obey
Trust
and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey
So, as we wait for the Lord’s time to arrive,
continue to give thanks for all that He has given, and for all that He has
promised, and to truly believe that it all has already been received. And that should be enough to be eternally
thankful! (Mark 11:23-24)
