Always be grateful

May 20, 2022

Always be grateful

Pastor To Chongji

Reading: Col 3:12-17

Selected Readings: Col. 3:12-17

"12 Therefore, as you are God's chosen people, holy and beloved, put on mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 13 But if one has a problem with another, bear with one another and forgive one another; how the Lord Forgiving you, just as you must forgive others.

14 In addition to this, put on love, because love penetrates all virtue. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which you are called into one body. You must also be thankful. 16 With all wisdom, store up the word of Christ richly in your hearts, teach and admonish one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and sing praises to God with thanksgiving. 17 Whatever you do, in word or deed, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. "

Times Meditation:

"Put on mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience" are the qualities of a Christian's life in the Holy Spirit, in which love runs through all virtue. Always tolerate and forgive each other in relationships.

"Keep the word of Christ abundantly in your heart with all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and sing praises to God with thanksgiving."

From verses 15 to 17, in these short three verses, there are three mentions of thanking God. In the Hiro culture, the recipient is required to repay the benefactor according to a promise or consensus, even if the reciprocal favor is insignificant compared to the favor received. From this point of view, thanksgiving is equal to acknowledging the sovereignty of Christ; we should be grateful when we worship collectively (16), and even do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus (17). Gratitude, which may seem insignificant, is an expression of obedience to Christ, believed to help infuse the Lord's love, practice mutual forgiveness, and cultivate virtue.

Christian expressions of constant gratitude are based on Christ's tolerance and acceptance.

Answer the prayer:

May we always be grateful in our lives.