Lisa Sheffler, author
Although our relationship with God is deeply personal, we are meant to live out our faith with other believers. Gratitude is something that forms in our heart and will deepen our intimacy with God — but becomes an even more powerful force when it is shared. We can encourage each other to give thanks when we gather together as believers and recall the many blessings we’ve received.
Today we are going to look at passage in which Paul instructs believers to give thanks to God corporately.
Read
Colossians 3:12-17
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 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. 17 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.
How does Paul want to see the church function? What should the relationships between believers be like?
How should gratitude play a part in our gatherings, whether in person or online?
Reflect
In his letter to the Colossians, Paul gives instruction to the church as to how they should treat one another. Love should characterize the body of Christ. Paul calls them to recognize that as God’s chosen people, they should pursue unity. The peace we have with God, through Christ, should result in peace with each other. When we gather together, we should recognize that we share in the love and mercy of Jesus and are bound together as his body. Together, we give thanks and allow our gratitude to shape our interactions with each other. Love, peace and gratitude reinforce each other.
When Christians meet together, they should “spur each other on to love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24). We come together as a local expression of the universal church and should help each other grow in Christlikeness. The more we witness God moving in and through other believers, the more we will recognize his goodness and be thankful.
We get to experience God doing amazing things as we unite together to serve our community, city, and world. Lives are changed when we use our God-given time, talents. and resources to help others. Those results will give us even greater cause to praise God and offer him thanks.
When we are knitted together in Christian community, we also get to witness the spiritual growth of our brothers and sisters in Christ. We see the powerful work of God as he delivers people from sinful habits, heals brokenness, mends fractured relationships, and strengthens faith. It is such a privilege to pray for and with other believers, and then see those prayers answered. All together we can praise and thank him for responding to the pleas of his people.
In 1 Thessalonians, we see Paul expressing gratitude to God for the growing faith of this church, “For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?” (1 Thessalonians 3:8–9).
God’s grace shines out of the lives of his people. As a group, we can rejoice and express our gratitude to God because he is good and faithful. At its best, Christian community will give us a taste of heaven, where we will live in peace and unity with one another, and all together praise and give thanks to God. Together, we can sustain a gratitude habit.
Respond
Do you have a group of believers who are an integral part of your life? A Life Group or Bible study? If so, consider planning a time that you can get together for the sole purpose of praising God and expressing your gratitude to him. Have everyone take turns explaining why he or she is grateful to God. You may want to spend some time praying together and offering your thanks directly to the Father, or singing worship songs together. Allow shared gratitude to further unify you as a group.
If you are not part of a group of believers, visit CFhome.org and check out all the groups we have available! We’d love to help you find a group so you can grow!
