Much To Give Thanks For

Much To Give Thanks ForGiving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:12-14). Just as the leper who had been cleansed returned to the Lord Jesus and gave thanks to Him (Lk 17:11-19), the believer is to give thanks continually. In the verses above we are reminded of five reasons why we who have trusted in the finished work of Christ should give thanks. First, through Christ we have been qualified to share in a wonderful inheritance. A similar thought is given in John 1:12 where we read, “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” Second, we have been delivered. Christ has delivered us from the power of darkness - the devil (Eph. 2:1-3); from the place of darkness - the world (Jn. 1:1-3,9); and from the practice of darkness - the flesh (Jn. 3:17-21). Third, another reason for giving thanks is that we have been brought into His kingdom. We are identified with Him now in His rejection and will reign with Him in His glory (Rev. 19-20). Fourth, we have been completely redeemed. This means we were bought out of the slave market of sin and are presently and permanently united with Christ. Last, believers should give thanks because we have been totally set free from our sins; we have been forgiven (Eph. 1:7). There are many other reasons why we should give thanks. Take a few minutes right now to think of some things you can thank the Lord for. By Tim Hadley