Bill's Bible Blog

6. THANKFULNESS TO GOD: …and 17b, “…giving thanks to God the Father through (Jesus).”

Paul points out that it is all about God. But for us as Christians, our reconciliation to God, our relationship with God and our responsibility to God as our Creator, all flow through Jesus Christ.

And notice between verses 15 to 17, Paul mentions ‘thankfulness‘ three times–‘be thankful,’ ‘with gratitude,’ and ‘giving thanks.’ If God’s agape love is number 1 on the list of our responses to being saved, then thankfulness, being thankful, and giving thanks are 1b, 2b and 3b.

So, looking at the three commands in this practical section in Colossians, we can put it all together this way:

1. God has forgiven us in Jesus Christ; therefore, be thankful, and forgive one another, just as God has forgiven us.

2. God is holy, Christ died to make us holy and to bring us to God; therefore, we are to give thanks for being redeemed, and strive to be holy, just as He is holy, in our words and deeds.

3. God has loved us with an everlasting love; therefore, be grateful, and love one another, just as God has loved us.

I really can’t say it any better than that.

In conclusion we could say, as our verse this week says, Show thanks in everything you do!