Faith Without Thanksgiving or Praise?
My daughter and her husband recently planted a young tree in their yard to replace one that they lost. Currently, this young tree is braced by ropes tethered in different directions to help it withstand winds from storms until its roots are well established. Without these tethers to help it initially, it might be blown over by strong winds. It needs an opportunity to grow its roots strong in order to withstand all the storms that may come at it.
Those tethers are symbolic of a faith that produces thanksgiving and praise.
In the Bible, this idea is conveyed by Paul when he writes to the Colossians.
Colossians 2:6 As you, therefore, have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
Over a year ago, a newly made friend and brother in Christ promised me a motorcycle. He lived in Mississippi at the time, and we had met at a conference. On a Sunday morning, he texted me pictures of a motorcycle and told me it was mine and that he was going to bring it to me on a trailer all the way from Mississippi. It would take some time before it would arrive, but I believed him and thanked him.
I began showing the pictures to others and telling them I owned a motorcycle. I was giving God praise because I had spoken with Him about this before it had ever happened, and He answered me clearly. My faith, made possible by His word to me, resulted in thanksgiving and praise even before that motorcycle was delivered.
Now, all this is very important because of what is at stake when it comes to faith or the lack thereof.
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
Our completeness, righteousness, and ability to please God are realized in Christ and are ours by faith in Christ. Many will come along and attempt to tell us we must do something to earn our standing, but according to the real gospel our standing is grounded in Christ and is ours according to faith. Real faith celebrates this sure promise of hope with thanksgiving and praise. This is why Paul began His letter with these words.
Colossians 2:4 Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. 5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
God is always pleased with our steadfast faith in Christ! I trust in Christ alone, and I stand fast on the promise of His word of redemption and life! I thank Him for His great love and mercy and for the life I have now in Him! All praise to Jesus for the life which He has so abundantly supplied! An abundant life is mine in Him, and it is yours in Him as well. The more this is believed, the more thankful you become, and you will be energized and empowered to give Him all the praise!
