By Michael Adekoya – “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Eph. 5:20
Dear Reader, I truly believe that this commandment… to thank God at all times for all things… is perhaps one of the hardest in the entire Bible to practice. But it is the secret to a happy and productive life. My friend, I want you to notice several things about this passage of Scripture. First, I want you to notice when we should be thankful. We are to give thanks always. If Paul had said sometimes, that wouldn’t be so hard. But he clearly said always, even in good or bad days.
“Why is this new month so important to you?” This was the question I asked someone recently. She replied, “It is a Thanksgiving week and a week of celebration of life” It is the week of her birthday. That was a spot on the answer but, my friend, you and I both know that one week is not enough to thank God. The Bible says, “Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits…” (Psa. 68:19). Every day we get a fresh load of benefits of various kinds from God. He loves us, protects us, fights for us, forgives us, saves us, delivers us, heals us, faithful to us, prospers us and blesses us. We should never pray without thanking Him every day.
My friend, why should God give you anything else if you don’t thank Him for what He’s already given you? Many of us need to pull out some of the groans and shove in some loud hallelujahs into our prayers. If you don’t already, begin putting some “thank you” in your lifestyle. You may ask, “But Michael, what should my thanks be for?” The Bible says, “For all things!” Thank God for His love and grace, for the salvation of your soul, for your life, faith, family, friends and food; for the air you breathe in and the water you drink. Thank God for your marriage, for your spouse, for your born and unborn child, for a sound mind and good health, for provision and for your victory in Christ. While millions of people have lost their jobs, lost their home, lost their fitness, lost their faces in shame, lost their confidence, you still keep yours. You need to thank God!
My friend, thank God for the angels that guide you day and night because if you have to pay for body-guards against the attacks of the enemy, you can’t afford the cost, no matter how financially strong you are. You may ask, “Do I have to thank God for dirty dishes of my children in the sink?” Well, a lot of people would like to have some dirty dishes; that would mean they had something to eat and children to have left them in the kitchen sink and also a house to be able to have a kitchen. Thank God for the challenges you may be facing now because He’ll see you through it. Thank God for the current global financial crisis because God is shaking the nations so that the desires of all nations will come to Him (Hag. 2:3-9). But also, be thankful for your time, talents and treasures — the things that God has given you and about to give you.
Listen to this story. In church, a family heard of a couple giving a significant love offering in memory of their son who had died on the battlefield. On the way home, the wife asked her husband, “Why don’t we give an offering of an equal amount for our son?” He said, “Why? Our son wasn’t killed. He is alive” She replied, “Don’t you think that’s a good reason to give an offering?” My friend, this is one of the reasons you should thank God always. And it is one of my reasons for thanking God always.
You may ask, “But how is it possible to thank God always for all things?” Beginning in verse eighteen of Ephesians 5, Paul says it is possible because of three things. First of all, we are to give thanks in the Spirit. He says, “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.” You see, to be Spirit-filled is to be thankful. If you’re not thankful, you’re not Spirit-filled. In contrast, there is no way you can be Spirit-filled and be unthankful. The mark of a Spirit-filled life is gratefulness. A Spirit-filled Christian either a man or woman is always full of life, joy and attitude of gratitude! My friend, can you testify to that?
Listen! As long as you are in the Spirit, you’ll give thanks always. To give thanks in the Spirit is to “give thanks for all things unto God, the Father…” (Eph 5:20) James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with Whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” My friend, never ever blame God for anything or think negatively about Him. He is your heavenly Father. He is so good! He loves you so much and cares for you. He is the pillar that holds your life!
Ephesians 5:20 also says to give thanks “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” In other words, we should give thanks in the Spirit … unto God, the Father … and through the Son. My friend, it means you should thank God in the name or with the authority of Christ. You don’t have to understand all that God is doing. Even if you don’t understand it, you can just say, “Father God, In the name of Jesus, I thank You.” As my usual practice, make it your daily habit, as I do, to lift your heart to God in praise as you get out of bed each morning. Just say, “Lord God, I love You, and I praise You.” What a great way to start your day and to live your life!
My friend, I want you to think about something. There are basically four levels of life. The first is represented by people who are constantly complaining and grumbling. They brighten up a room just by leaving it. The second includes people who just live lives of ingratitude. They don’t complain, but they never thank God for His obvious blessings. That’s a little better but not much. Then, there are people who thank God for obvious blessings. When something good happens, they’re grateful. That’s a better level. But let me tell you what the highest level is. It is to be grateful for all things at all times. When you get to that level, then you have learned the secret of perpetual, unending and ceaseless joy. Remain blessed!
Jesus is Lord!
Kindly follow us on twitter:@AfricanVoice2
