How thankful we are reveals the health of our souls. When the Apostle Paul describes what our being filled with the Spirit looks like, he doesn’t point to ecstatic experiences or miraculous spiritual gifts, he points to THANKFULNESS.
“Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving THANKS always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:18-20)
When Paul describes what our being governed by the peace and Word of Christ looks like, he doesn’t point to an absence of conflict or our level of theological sophistication, he points to THANKFULNESS:
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be THANKFUL. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with THANKFULNESS in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:15-16)
When Paul describes what our living in the will of God looks like, he doesn’t point to how well our rolls match our strengths and aspirations; he points to THANKFULNESS.
“Give THANKS in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1Thessalonians 5: 18)
When Paul describes what our freedom from sexual sin, or other kinds of defiling sin, looks like, he doesn’t point to the absence of temptations, he points to THANKFULNESS;
“Sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be THANKSGIVING.” (Ephesians 5:3-4)
If we want to know how healthy our souls are, we should check our levels of GRATITUDE!
Be blessed and be a blessing as we enter this THANKSGIVING season,
Pastor John