Jump Start # 3959
Ephesians 5:3-4 “But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.”
We have come off of Thanksgiving. It is a wonderful time to be with family. Feast and fun are the highlights of this occasion. But wrapped all around it is the concept of being thankful. As our communities put Thanksgiving in a box and on a shelf until next year and rapidly move on to Christmas, God’s people know better. Thankfulness is within us. It’s who we are. We count our blessings and realize that God has been so good to us. We recognize the wonderful gifts of God, be it the visible things, the invisible things and the eternal things. Thankfulness is built into our spiritual DNA.
Our verse today is not one that is often read around Thanksgiving time. The reason is because of the six sins that begin this passage. The apostle reminds us within this context that going that direction will not get you to Heaven. In fact, what it does is invite the wrath of God.
Further, we are given very blunt instructions about these things:
· Do not partake with them (7)
· Do not participate in these thins (11)
· Do not even talk about these things (12)
Interestingly, Paul’s answer to these six sins is not more Bible. It’s not better attendance. It’s not stricter obedience. All of those are important. But, here it is the “giving of thanks.” Our verse ends with those words, “rather giving of thanks.” Rather than doing these things, give thanks. Rather than thinking that way, give thanks. There is a better way. It is the way of Thanks.
This is what this looks like.
First, rather than thinking immorally or impure, be thankful for God’s gift of marriage. Be thankful for friendships that are genuine and healthy. Be thankful for love that is not self centered. When God looked upon Noah’s world He saw that the thoughts of man were evil continually. That’s all they thought about. What you fill your mind with becomes your actions. Be thankful.
Second, rather than being greedy, be thankful that God has taken care of you. We have been blessed so much from our Lord. Indeed, this is My Father’s World. When Eve was tempted by serpent, the focus was upon the one tree that she was not to eat from. The focal point was the forbidden fruit. What Eve failed to see was all the trees that God had put around her that she could enjoy. We tend to focus upon the one wrong thing and fail to see all other wonderful blessings God has given us. Greed always wants more. Greed is never content and never satisfied. Be thankful. God has been good to us.
Third, rather than coarse jesting, be thankful for truth. Be thankful for brethren who are honest. Be thankful that you can know the will of God. Be thankful that God’s word never changes. Be thankful that God’s expectations are doable. Be thankful that God’s promises are believable. Be thankful.
Treasure the true gifts of God. Be thankful that you heart has changed. Be thankful for the opportunities God places before you. Be thankful that God’s word dwells within you. Be thankful that you belong to the Lord. A long life without the Lord is nothing. A fortune without the Lord is nothing. A close family without the Lord is nothing. An education without the Lord is nothing.
The greatest blessing is that you belong to the Lord and He belongs to you.
In this, thanksgiving never ends and it keeps us very far from the dangerous cliff of sin.
Thank You, Lord.
Roger