Topical Bible: Thankfulness: Commanded

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Topical Encyclopedia

Thankfulness is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, and it is presented not merely as a suggestion but as a command for believers. The act of giving thanks is deeply rooted in the acknowledgment of God's sovereignty, goodness, and provision. It is an expression of faith and trust in God's plan and purpose for His people.

Old Testament Foundations

The concept of thankfulness is embedded in the Old Testament, where the Israelites were instructed to remember and give thanks for God's deliverance and provision. In Leviticus 7:12-15, the thank offering is described as a voluntary act of worship, expressing gratitude to God. The Psalms are replete with calls to thankfulness, such as in Psalm 100:4 : "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and bless His name."

New Testament Commandments

In the New Testament, thankfulness is explicitly commanded as a vital aspect of Christian living. The Apostle Paul frequently exhorts believers to cultivate a spirit of gratitude. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 , Paul writes, "Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." This verse underscores the importance of maintaining a thankful heart regardless of life's situations, recognizing that thankfulness aligns with God's will.

Similarly, in Colossians 3:15-17 , Paul instructs, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

Theological Significance

Thankfulness is not merely a response to favorable circumstances but a recognition of God's unchanging nature and His grace. It is an act of worship that acknowledges God's authority and goodness. The command to be thankful is intertwined with the call to live a life that reflects the character of Christ, who Himself gave thanks to the Father (Matthew 11:25, John 11:41).

Practical Implications

The command to be thankful has practical implications for the believer's daily life. It fosters a positive outlook, strengthens faith, and builds resilience against anxiety and discontent. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages believers, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Conclusion

The command to be thankful is a central tenet of the Christian faith, reflecting a heart aligned with God's will and a life lived in recognition of His grace and provision. Through thankfulness, believers are drawn closer to God, experiencing His peace and presence in every circumstance.

Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 50:14
Offer to God thanksgiving; and pay your vows to the most High:
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Thankfulness for Mercies Received, a Necessary Duty
... like coals of a refiner's fire, they must melt us down into thankfulness and love. ...
kick ye at my sacrifice, and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/thankfulness for mercies received a.htm

List of the Benefits which Constantine Conferred in the Freedom of ...
... those who rose up in battle against him he evinced his thankfulness to Christ ... the
bishops and clergy, wherever they might be domiciled, and commanded that the ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter viii list of the benefits.htm

The Flood.
... and the animals, birds, and creeping things, as God had commanded, all entered ... Noah
built an altar, and offered sacrifices to God, in thankfulness for God's ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/the flood.htm

Joy, a Duty
... God never commanded us to do a thing that would really harm us; and when he ... I was
a boy, ever seeing in the newspapers columns of thankfulness and expressions ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 41 1895/joy a duty.htm

Acts XXIV
... and in every place, we accept it, most excellent, Felix, with all thankfulness. ... great
violence snatched him out of our hands, (8) and commanded his accusers to ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xxiv.htm

A Prophet's Strange Providers
... How his heart would bow in adoring thankfulness, when the first person he saw outside ...
at the time when God spoke to Elijah, he had already 'commanded' the woman ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a prophets strange providers.htm

How to Make Use of Christ for Cleansing of us from Our Daily Spots ...
... and particularly hath provided a fountain, and such a fountain, whereto he not only
may, but is commanded to resort daily. 3. Of thankfulness; remembering how ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter ix how to make.htm

Thoughts Upon Worldly-Riches. Sect. Ii.
... For thus they are expresly commanded to honour the Lord With all their ... hating
Covetousness, we must take all Opportunities to express our Thankfulness unto God ...
/.../private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon worldly-riches sect ii.htm

The Holy Catholic Church.
... read that S. Peter baptized them, but "he commanded them to be baptized in the name
of the Lord" (Acts 10:48); and S. Paul expresses his thankfulness that only ...
/.../burbidge/the kingdom of heaven what is it/chapter ix the holy catholic.htm

Faith Stopping the Mouths of Lions
... And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and
they cast them into the ... Thankfulness, but not astonishment, filled his heart. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/faith stopping the mouths of.htm