God’s prerequisite for success

It is impossible to maintain an equilibrium of internal peace without being thankful, so cultivating and guarding thankfulness is a prerequisite to balancing all the other components required to become a person of vibrant faith.

Today, we take our text from ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭Chapter and verses 15-17‬.... “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (New International Version).

There are multiple calls in the New Testament to “Be thankful" or to "Give thanks.” In Ephesians Chapter 5 and verse 20 we read, "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thessalonians Chapter 5 and verse 18 admonishes.... "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

A lifestyle of giving thanks may require a certain sense of accepting the sovereignty of God at work in our lives. I’m not going to entertain an in-depth theological or philosophical debate concerning the sovereignty of God versus the will of man, other than to point out the obvious. There have been theological arguments for centuries on both sides of these somewhat polar opposite views of God’s salvific work within fallen man’s redemption. I will say that the more I focus on God’s payment of the whole cost for my salvation and “picking up the whole tab” so to speak, the more thankful I seem to become. The more I focus upon my responsibilities in regard to me saying "yes” to God and owning my duty to maintain a relationship with God, the more my striving increases; consequently, the less thankful I tend to be. Again, so as not to get too far afield from the basic premise of the text, I believe that there is a tiny “yes” that I offer, in comparison to God’s enormous plan of salvation that He provided since before He framed the worlds. God made provision for sacrifices for our sin from Abraham right up to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, God’s own Son, who became the sacrificial Lamb, the one and only atonement for sin. Therefore, my most noble deeds are but a whisper in comparison to the sound of the loudest of thunder claps.

When I truly consider all that Jesus has done for me, I naturally grow more thankful. When I am thankful, God’s peace takes its rightful place of ruling over the turbulence of life. When I am thankful, it is a joy to serve God and I willingly do more for Him than I could ever accomplish just through dutiful service.

So, steward well a “thankful heart” and you will be blessed!