1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. It is the natural fruit of joy as it is the natural accompaniment of prayer. "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." I. THANKSGIVING IS THE EXERCISE OF A JOYFUL AND PRAYING HEART. 1. It is a mark of the wicked that they have no thankfulness. They who glorified not God "neither were thankful" (Romans 1:21). It is a sign of the antichristian apostasy that men "shall he unthankful" (2 Timothy 3:2). Since "every good gift and every perfect gift" comes from the Father of Lights, the guilt of such ingratitude is great. 2. It is the mark of the saints in heaven that they are full of thanksgivings. (Revelation 19:6, 7; Revelation 7:12.) 3. It is likewise a mark of the saints on earth. "Blessed are they which dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee" (Psalm 84:4). They abound in faith with thanksgiving (Colossians 2:7). They offer sacrifices of thanksgiving (Psalm 116:17). They habitually offer thanksgiving (Daniel 6:10). II. THANKSGIVING MUST BE UNIVERSAL IN ITS SPHERE. "In everything give thanks." 1. For the supply of our bodily wants. (1 Timothy 4:3, 4.) 2. For the gift of Christ. (2 Corinthians 9:15.) 3. For the goodness and mercy of the Lord. (Psalm 106:1.) 4. In all circumstances of prosperity and adversity, joy and sorrow, health and sickness. Job could say in the depth of his affliction, "Blessed be the Name of the Lord" (Job 1:8, 20, 21). III. THE GROUND AND REASON OF THIS DUTY. "For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." The Scripture as well as the light of nature directs to it, as it sets forth that "good and perfect and acceptable will of God," "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me." In Jesus Christ is this will revealed and made effectual; for all God's mercies reach us through the channel of his mediation. Therefore we "are to give thanks unto God and the Father by him" (Colossians 3:17); therefore "by him let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually" (Hebrews 13:15). - T.C. Parallel Verses KJV: In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.WEB: In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. |
    |