Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things to God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; I. Let us consider THE DUTY ENJOINED — thanksgiving — "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father." He is the object of all religious worship, and to Him all our thanks are supremely due. I say supremely, because it is not unlawful to give thanks to others. Children should be thankful to their parents; and the poor and the needy should be thankful to them that afford them relief. For though men are but instruments, they are instruments — and they are voluntary instruments. You never thank the ox and the horse for the behests you derive from them, because you know they are destitute of knowledge and design; but men are influenced by motives, and actuated by choice; yet we are to look above them to God, who is the fountain of all good and blessedness. For, who gave these instruments their capacity? Who placed them in our way and within our reach? Who endowed them with power to help us, and inspired them with inclinations to bless us? "He maketh His sun to shine on the evil and on the good," "and His paths drop fatness." Two things must here be observed: — 1. Thanksgiving is frequently confounded with praise; but they are distinguishable. We praise persons for excellency of character and conduct. We give thanks for favours received from them, and obligations we are under to them. The essence of praise is admiration; the essence of thanksgiving is gratitude. 2. And you must have observed that, when the apostle speaks of thanksgiving, he does not mean only the use of the words — "Words are but air." The verbal expression is nothing, unless corresponding views and feelings proceed, and corresponding actions follow it. You would not wish a man to thank you if he were senseless of his obligations. If he should commend and applaud you, and then do everything in his power to injure you and to offend you. And yet how much of this hypocrisy has God continually to meet with from His creatures, and even many professors of religion! II. HOW THIS DUTY IS TO BE PERFORMED. 1. It is to be done in the name of Christ. It is His intercession on our behalf that renders our supplications accepted in the Beloved, and by His much incense which purifies our hearts. Thus, as Peter says, we "offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." And therefore, says the Apostle Paul, "Let us offer by Him the sacrifices of God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name." 2. Again, as we are to do this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, so we are to do it always. What, then, does the apostle mean when he says, "We are to give thanks always for all things unto God and the Father." Thanksgiving should always be found in our addresses to God. You are not to adore and praise God in His house only, but also in your own. You are not only to worship Him on the Sabbath, but during the week: indeed, the week is to show in you what the Sabbath does for you. And it is a poor devotion indeed, that does not survive the sanctuary, and that is brushed out on Monday morning along with the dust of the place. It can intend, also, nothing less than perseverance; "Holding fast the confidence, and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end"; not "growing weary in well-doing," and not becoming cold after your first fervours in religion.Now, in order that you may have this praying frame — this readiness for thanksgiving always — and feel these excitements to it, there are three things essentially necessary. 1. The first is, deep self-abasement. You will always find the proud ungrateful. 2. The second is — it will be necessary for you, if you would live in this praying frame of mind, to be careful to observe and mark the loving kindnesses of the Lord. According, as David says, "Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even he shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord." And Mr. Flavel remarks, that "He who observes providences shall not want providences to observe." 3. The third is, to keep these things in remembrance; for, if they are forgotten, they can no longer sway or influence you; and therefore, says David, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits." First pair. — You are to give thanks for natural and spiritual mercies. Second pair. — You are to thank Him for ordinary and extraordinary mercies. There are some remarkable instances of the Divine interposition in their favour, in a way of providence or of grace. These are like the red-letter days in the calendar of life. These may be considered as the masterpieces of providence, either in our protection or our deliverance: either in our support or our comfort. At the same time we must not forget that "His mercies are new every morning," and that "He daily loadeth us with his benefits." Third pair. — You are to thank God for positive and preventive mercies. From how many unknown evils as well as known, have you been preserved ever since you have had a being! Fourth pair. — You are to give thanks for public and private mercies. You are embarked in a vessel, the safety of which is your safety too. Fifth pair. — You are to bless God for personal and relative blessings. In how many lives, is your whole life bound up! There is the wife of your choice — there are the children of your love. Sixth pair. — You are to bless God for present and future mercies. The seventh and last pair. — You are to give thanks unto God for your sweet and for your bitter mercies. (W. Jay.) Parallel Verses KJV: Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; |
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