Topical Bible: Thankfulness: should be offered in the Name of Christ

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Thankfulness, a central theme in Christian life, is an expression of gratitude and appreciation towards God for His blessings, grace, and mercy. The Bible emphasizes that thankfulness should be offered in the name of Christ, highlighting the importance of acknowledging Jesus as the mediator between God and humanity.

Biblical Foundation

The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, frequently underscores the necessity of thankfulness in the life of a believer. In Colossians 3:17 , he instructs, "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." This verse encapsulates the Christian duty to offer gratitude in every aspect of life, recognizing Jesus as the channel through which believers approach God.

The Role of Christ in Thankfulness

Christ's role as the mediator is pivotal in the offering of thankfulness. Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Jesus opened the way for believers to have direct access to God. Hebrews 4:14-16 speaks of Jesus as the great high priest who sympathizes with human weaknesses, encouraging believers to "approach the throne of grace with confidence." This access allows Christians to present their thankfulness to God, assured of His understanding and grace.

Expressions of Thankfulness

Thankfulness in the name of Christ is not limited to verbal expressions but extends to actions and attitudes. Ephesians 5:20 exhorts believers to "always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." This comprehensive approach to gratitude involves recognizing God's sovereignty in all circumstances, whether favorable or challenging.

The Spiritual Discipline of Thankfulness

Thankfulness is a spiritual discipline that fosters a deeper relationship with God. Philippians 4:6-7 advises, "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." Here, thankfulness is linked with prayer, serving as a means to cultivate peace and trust in God's providence.

Community and Thankfulness

The communal aspect of thankfulness is also significant. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 , Paul writes, "Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." This directive is given within the context of community life, suggesting that thankfulness should be a shared practice among believers, strengthening the body of Christ and fostering unity.

Conclusion

While a conclusion is not provided, the entry highlights the biblical mandate for thankfulness to be offered in the name of Christ, emphasizing its role in personal devotion, community life, and the believer's relationship with God.

Nave's Topical Index

Ephesians 5:20
Giving thanks always for all things to God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Thankfulness for Mercies Received, a Necessary Duty
... fire, they must melt us down into thankfulness and love. ... more abundantly I love you,
the less I should be loved ... and the daily occasions that are offered you, to ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/thankfulness for mercies received a.htm

Great Preparations for a Great Work
... predecessors; but Solomon was moved by thankfulness and by ... fair dawning of his reign,
we should find abundant ... now nearly died out, and offered liberal payment. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/great preparations for a great.htm

Christ's Birth
... when Mary begged him to take to his heart, in joy and thankfulness, the holy ... The
king then ordered that great sacrifices should be offered throughout the ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xi christs birth.htm

Baxter -- Making Light of Christ and Salvation
... for an interest in Christ, or in thankfulness for His ... that you should take heed lest
this should prove your ... Savior, and that never had salvation offered to him ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/baxter making light of.htm

What Think Ye of Christ?
... perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ, freely offered him in ... free justification,
and thought they should be saved ... sincerity of his love and thankfulness to his ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/what think ye of christ.htm

Christ's Priestly Office
... to bless God, and let us show thankfulness to Christ by ... stepped in with his censer,
and offered incense, and ... given to him much incense, that he should offer it ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/4 christs priestly office.htm

National Privileges
... not that meant to be a sign of thankfulness to Christ ... is the sacrament of Christ's
body and blood offered you ... have imagined, that the Son of God should offer to ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon xxii national privileges.htm

The Heresies Attacked by the Apostles.
... necessary things; that ye abstain from things offered to idols ... and to use all His
creatures with thankfulness, as the ... I will be baptized, lest I should sin and ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii the heresies attacked by.htm

Spiritual Sacrifices
... The fruit of the lips should continually be offered. ... singing to emotional Christians,
who are always able to gush in words of thankfulness, and it ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/spiritual sacrifices.htm

Savonarola -- the Ascension of Christ
... that you do not mourn, but in thankfulness raise your ... If I had wished to deceive
you, why should I have ... you would soon detect; only because I offered you the ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/savonarola the ascension of.htm