We were made to give thanks to God, therefore whenever we take up our duty and allow thanksgiving to flow, we are fulfilling our purpose in life. Have you ever noticed how Psalm 100 describes our purpose?
Psalm 100:1–5 (ESV) — 1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! 2 Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! 3 Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! 5 For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Not only is our purpose to give thanks to God, but it is the way to enter and enjoy His presence. Why? Because He deserves our gratitude for all that He has done. For example, Paul reflected on the doctrine of the resurrection and how Jesus Christ’s victory over sin, Satan, and death was achieved through His crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. Therefore, we have the great prospect gripping our minds and hearts that because He lives, we shall also be raised from the dead in the grandeur of victory as death is swallowed up, never to be known.
With that in mind, consider the words of the Apostle Paul as he concludes the section of 1Corinthians 15 on the resurrection and refers to the victory we have through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:57 (ESV) — 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
It’s interesting how Paul uses the term, “thanks be to God” in three specific exclamations. The first being in 1Corinthians 15 as noted above. The second is seen in 2Corinthians 2:14.
2 Corinthians 2:14 (ESV) — 14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.
We are not only blessed with victory over sin, Satan, and death but the Lord Jesus Christ leads us in triumphal procession every moment of every day. Think about it. The indwelling presence of our conquering King gives us victory in every circumstance in which we find ourselves. No wonder Peter reminds us that we are to show forth His praises. How could we not when we consider how our union with Him means He leads us in triumph because He cannot lose.
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV) — 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Thanks be to God for the victory we have in the Lord Jesus Christ that He secured for us in His death, burial, and resurrection but also for the continual triumph He brings us as He works in us and through us to His glory. One more expression of gratitude.
2 Corinthians 9:15 (ESV) — 15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
If we enjoy victory because of the Lord Jesus Christ and His victory, and if we enjoy victory over every trial and circumstance because He is working in us and through us, then it makes sense that Paul would also express thanks be to God for the gift of the Lord Jesus Christ.
John 3:16 (ESV) — 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
The word, “inexpressible” or sometimes translated “unspeakable” gift simply means that we do not have words to do justice in proclaiming how great the gift of the Lord Jesus Christ is to us.
1 Peter 1:8 (ESV) — 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,
Consider how Peter also expressed the inexpressibleness of our magnificent Savior, Who comes to us amid trials and ministers to us, much like described in Psalm 23. Just think of yourself as one of the sheep being led and cared for by the magnificent Shepherd.
Psalm 23:1–6 (ESV) — 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Thanks be to God! It’s what bubbles up from deep within as the Spirit of God works in us bringing us light and understanding from the word of God to appreciate more fully what the Lord Jesus Christ has done for us, is doing in us, and how He is there leading us, helping us, caring for us, encouraging us, and blessing us. We are His people, and He will never let us go.
John 10:27–30 (ESV) — 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker, Pastor
Christ Community Presbyterian Church
Clearwater, FL
