According to a new book by a Vancouver nutritionist, Sarah Holvick, you aren’t just what you eat. According to Ms. Holvick, the mind/body connection is more significant than recent science has allowed. The most current thinking indicates that a smile is more than your umbrella; it’s your amulet against disease. Sarah says that “wherever the intangible mind goes, the body follows in a quantifiable, physical sense.” How quantifiable? Apparently, there is a significant correlation between serum antioxidants status and optimism. The higher your level of antioxidants in your blood, the lower the incidence of inflammation and, therefore, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and cancer. How does one get more of these invaluable serum antioxidants into the blood stream? Well, it’s simpler than you’d expect. You can significantly improve your health simply by being positive. In fact, Sarah says that eating an irreproachable diet is almost pointless if you’re living a miserable, stressed life. Your body can’t really recognize where the problem is coming from; it just reacts to any perceived threat. It does that by mounting an inflammatory response. Given that inflammation is the hideous thing lurking behind most health issues, doing what you can to avoid any causative factors is key. She concludes stating that: “Simple gratitude just might be as important to your health as turmeric and jogging and free-range, organic turkey. (http://life.nationalpost.com/2013/10/12/jane-macdougall-does-gratitude-make-up-for-gorging/)
In Colossians, the Apostle Paul showed how Genuine Gratitude is the opposite of spiritual pride. The Christian life is the experience of God’s grace from beginning to end (cf.1:6). Other kinds of human growth, development and achievement easily lead to self-satisfaction, self-importance, or superiority. Walking in Christ Jesus the Lord, being built in him, being established in the faith leads to thankfulness (Woodhouse, J. (2011). Colossians and Philemon: So Walk in Him (p. 114). Ross-shire, Great Britain: Christian Focus.)
What is the basis of our gratitude and thanksgiving? Do we enjoy what we enjoy because we worked hard, live in a good country, have help from those around us or are just lucky?
Colossians 2:6-7 gives us a reason to be grateful for what Christ has done and continues to do. This should happen from: 1) A Thankful Walk (Colossians 2:6), 2) A Thankful Faith (Colossians 2:7a), 3) A Thankful Gratitude (Colossians 2:7b)
1) A Thankful Walk (Colossians 2:6)
Colossians 2:6 [6]Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, (ESV)
Paul had already alluded to his fears for the Colossians—the danger of them being deluded by baseless arguments used by plausible religious salesmen (2:4). Now he prepares to confront the danger head-on, beginning with a positive statement of his objective (Dunn, J. D. G. (1996). The Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon: a commentary on the Greek text (p. 138). Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle: William B. Eerdmans Publishing; Paternoster Press.).
Therefore builds the concluding exhortation on what Paul has said in verses 2–5. The Colossians have received Christ Jesus the Lord, they have settled convictions about His deity and sufficiency, and are standing firm against the attacks of false teachers, so they must continue to walk in Him. (Wright, N. T. (1986). Colossians and Philemon: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 12, p. 103). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.)
The Christian faith is a person, a life, and a body of truths. The verb “receive” used here (paralambanō) has two connotations (1) the welcoming of a person (cf. Matt. 1:20; John 1:11; 14:3) and (2) the receiving of “tradition” (cf. I Cor. 11:23; 15:1, 3; Gal. 1:9, 12; Phil. 4:9; I Thess. 2:13; 4:1; II Thess. 3:6). The Colossians heard the content of the gospel through Epaphras’ preaching; then they personally welcomed the Person of the gospel (John 1:12). Biblical faith is a covenant. God sets the agenda and makes the first contact (cf. John 6:44, 65), but individuals must respond by repentance, faith, obedience and perseverance (v. 6) (Utley, R. J. (1997). Paul Bound, the Gospel Unbound: Letters from Prison (Colossians, Ephesians and Philemon, then later, Philippians) (Vol. Volume 8, p. 30). Marshall, TX: Bible Lessons International.)
They were to reflect on how they had received him, and that was to be a model for their present lives. They were to remember the nature and content of their faith at the time of their salvation, and that was to guide them throughout their Christian lives as well. (Melick, R. R. (1991). Philippians, Colossians, Philemon (Vol. 32, p. 246). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.).
• Gratitude is not merely a theological concept. Unless we internalize the discipline it is merely an external celebration of a holiday. When gratitude is internalized in true thanksgiving, we recognize the source of our blessing, the actions that He took, continues to take and promises to take in the future. That internalizing of gratitude is in the regular practice of thanksgiving.
The familiar term walk refers to daily conduct. In this context it means primarily to continue believing the truth about Christ, not allowing their Christology to waver. Step by step, day by day, we are to conduct our affairs in conscious submission to the lordship of Jesus Christ. Life is a journey, and we are not expected to sprint through it. We are just to make steady progress (Anders, M. (1999). Galatians-Colossians (Vol. 8, p. 304). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.).
• It can be easy in a worship setting to understand and praise the person and work of Christ. We can look at Him and what he does with thanksgiving and praise. When it becomes tough, we tend to let our thankfulness slip and we focus more on the problem than the person. What Paul is reminding us about here is to remember to look back to Christ and recall who He is and what He has done. When we do this we can be thankful even when the outward circumstances don’t seem to warrant it.
Please turn to John 11 (p.897)
In broader terms, walking in Christ means living in union with Him. It means to maintain a lifestyle patterned after His. It was specifically in difficult situations that Christ manifested the greatest gratitude and thankfulness. After explaining that He is the Resurrection and the life, He demonstrates how He triumphs even over death through the death of Lazarus.
John 11:38-44 [38]Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. [39]Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, "Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days." [40]Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?" [41]So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. [42]I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me." [43]When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out." [44]The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go." (ESV)
• In a most dramatic way Jesus shows how we don’t have to be bound in despair. He thanks the Father (v.41) for the opportunity to show how he triumphs over death and despair. He is thankful for the opportunity to show thankfulness and gratitude in this difficult situation to show the glory of God.
• The word is happy only in pleasant happenings. Christians can be supernaturally thankful and grateful in remarkable ways. When they triumph over despair they display the glory of God.
Illustration: Having that active type of gratitude is one of perspective. It has been said for us to:
Count your blessings instead of crosses;
Count your gain instead of losses.
Count your joys instead of woes;
Count your friends instead of foes.
Count your smiles instead of tears;
Count your courage instead of fears.
Count your full years instead of lean;
Count your kind deeds instead of mean.
Count your health instead of wealth;
Count on God instead of yourself!
(Zuck, R. B. (1997). The speaker’s quote book: over 4,500 illustrations and quotations for all occasions (p. 382). Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications.)
2) A Thankful Faith (Colossians 2:7a)
Colossians 2:7a [7]rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, (abounding in thanksgiving). (ESV)
Like a tree with deep roots in rich soil, believers have been firmly rooted in Christ. Two metaphors combine to express their initial growth in Christ: “rooted” and “built up” in the faith. That eternal planting took place at salvation, as the perfect tense of the participle errizōmenoi (having been firmly rooted) suggests. It is a once-for-all experience, that is, a being permanently rooted (Vaughan, C. (1981). Colossians. (F. E. Gaebelein, Ed.)The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Ephesians through Philemon. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.).
The one metaphor pictures sinking the roots of faith into the soil of Christian truth. The other calls to mind building on the foundation of faith. Although one metaphor comes from agriculture and the other from construction, together they make a strong point. This church had a firm basis for its faith and had built well upon it (Melick, R. R. (1991). Philippians, Colossians, Philemon (Vol. 32, p. 247). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.).
Flowing from faith, Christ is the source of our spiritual nourishment, growth, and fruit. As we walk in Christ, we are now being built up in Him. That connotes the process of being more and more like Jesus Christ. Epoikodomoumenoi (built up) is a present tense participle indicating continuous action(Vaughan, C. (1981). Colossians. (F. E. Gaebelein, Ed.)The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Ephesians through Philemon. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
But the question must be, how then, when we stumble and lose our thankful confidence, are we continually being built up? By studying the “word of His grace, which is able to build you up” (Acts 20:32), believers will “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18). And they will come “to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ” (Eph. 4:13).
Please turn to Daniel 6 (p.743)
It is easy to be thankful when everything seems to be going our way. The challenge is to genuinely express that thankfulness on a regular basis, even when things don’t go as we would wish.
Daniel 6:6-10 [6]Then these presidents and satraps came by agreement to the king and said to him, "O King Darius, live forever! [7]All the presidents of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. [8]Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked." [9]Therefore King Darius signed the document and injunction. [10]When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. (ESV)
• The greatest test of faith happens when things don’t seem to go our way. Do we respond in complaining to God or continually thanking Him.
• As the rest of the story of Daniel showed God delivered Daniel in a spectacular way. It was Daniel’s continued thanks and faithfulness in the difficult situation that showed the glory and power of God. God blessed him for his continued faith.
Being firmly rooted in Christ and growing in Him results in believers being established in their faith. The passive voice of the participle bebaioumenoi (established) indicates that it is God who will establish believers. Having such a firm foundation for faith based on walking in Christ is imperative for a healthy Christian life (cf. Rom. 16:25; 2 Thess. 2:16–17; 1 Pet. 5:10; Jude 24).
• In this life we should continue to grow in praise and thanksgiving. The longer we live we should continue to see God’s deliverance and care. The more we praise and thank God the stronger our faith will become.
Illustration: In the African dialect, the Karre, the expression for thankfulness is “to sit down on the ground before” another. A thankful Karre will go to the home of his benefactor and sit on the ground before his hut. No word need be spoken; his silent vigil signifies his gratitude. The one who is thankful to God, therefore, sits before God to enjoy his presence. Such a person is never satisfied merely to tip a hat to God as He passes; gratitude demands that he seek God’s presence and fellowship. (Roger William Thomas as found in Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times. Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.)
3) A Thankful Gratitude (Colossians 2:7b)
Colossians 2:7b [6] (Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, [7]rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught), abounding in thanksgiving. (ESV)
The last of the four participles in verse 7, perisseuontes (abounding /overflowing), is the only one in the active voice. It is a response to the other three. The “abounding /overflowing” (like a river overflowing its banks) is expressed in the present tense meaning that for believers thanksgiving is to be a continual, habitual thing (Vaughan, C. (1981). Colossians. (F. E. Gaebelein, Ed.)The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Ephesians through Philemon. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.).
As luxuriant green leaves are a sign of a healthy plant, profuse thanksgiving is “the unfailing mark of a healthy spiritual life.” Those who bubble over with gratitude for what God has already done are not easy prey to anxiety and doubt. They have no need or desire to look for fulfillment elsewhere (Garland, D. E. (1998). Colossians and Philemon (p. 140). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
Paul frequently employed thankfulness as one of the litmus tests of Christian health. He assumed that Christians would live in an attitude of thankfulness for the many blessings bestowed upon them. By contrast, one of the first indicators of departure from God is a lack of thanksgiving (e.g., Rom 1:21ff.). The deep roots of the faith evidence themselves in an attitude of gratitude for both the initial experience of salvation and the continued sustaining of life. Faith and the nature of a Christian foundation are often invisible, but thanksgiving is a visible response to the grace of God in their lives. In terms similar to 1:9–11, Paul praised them for the evidences of knowing the will of God in their lives. Thus, throughout their Christian experience, they had been thankful (Melick, R. R. (1991). Philippians, Colossians, Philemon (Vol. 32, p. 248). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.).
Please turn forward to Colossians 3 (p.984)
Believers who are firmly rooted in Christ, being built up in Him, and established in their faith, will overflow with gratitude to God. A grateful heart for all God has given us in Christ will further strengthen our grip on the truth. This gratitude is the spontaneous manifestation of the divine presence and power within them, as they enjoy daily fellowship with Christ; it is a sign that they are indeed living in the new age (Bruce, F. F. (1984). The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians (p. 94). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.).
Colossians 3:15-17 [15]And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. [16]Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. [17]And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (ESV)
A thankful heart understands grace, but when our thanks dry up, it is because we have begun to think that heaven is no more than our due. The (ones) who gets what (they) deserve have no one to thank but themselves, but the ones who are given far more than they could ever deserve, and who have been treated with lavish but completely unmerited kindness, should surely be grateful. Thankfulness points away from ourselves and from what we have done, and enjoys with amazement all that Christ has done. (Arthur, J. P. (2007). Christ All-Sufficient: Colossians and Philemon Simply Explained (pp. 81–82). Darlington, England: Evangelical Press.).
The spiritual discipline of gratitude continually looks to Christ as the source, model and strength for our continued thanksgiving. Let us be a people of lavish praise and continually thankful for such an ever giving savior.
(Format Note: Some base commentary from MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1983). Hebrews. MacArthur New Testament Commentary (pp. 95–107). Chicago: Moody Press.)
