Opening illustration: Our power is shut off, and suddenly we become thankful for electricity. Our garbage is not picked up, and suddenly we become thankful for the garbage collector’s weekly stop. A good friend dies, and suddenly we discover how much he meant to us. Our water becomes too polluted to drink and suddenly we appreciate having good water.
Why is it, Lord, that we take for granted the uncounted blessings of life until they are removed from us? (Steve Shepherd in "For Granted or Gratitude" on SermonCentral)
Introduction: Paul compared new life in Christ to changing old clothes for new ones (Colossians 3:9, 10). But don’t we have old “clothes”—attitudes—that feel more comfortable than new ones? What if we’ve tried over and over to be more forgiving, thankful, and peaceful (vs. 14–15) without much change? If so, it’s important that we not misunderstand what Paul is urging us to do. The secret of clothing ourselves in the attitudes of Christ, according to Paul, is being good hosts to Christ in us (1:27). As we learn to consider and rely on His presence in us gratefully, we gradually discover that wonderful new attitudes of love, peace, and gratefulness are growing in us in ways that we sense are not simply the result of our own efforts.
What are the reasons we must THANK God for?
1. Because He has CHOSEN us (v. 12a)
Paul begins by reminding us of the fact that God chose us or elected us, and therefore we enjoy a position of unique favor with God.
We are Holy - set apart from sin, from the rest of the world, and set apart unto God. We are God's unique creation, His people, chosen to demonstrate His reality to the world in which we live. We were chosen to be different so that others can see His power and glory. He restored us to demonstrate His power to the world around us.
And Because God loves us He counsels us to put off the old man, the sinful way of life, and to "put on," or clothe ourselves, cover ourselves. It is the same word used in Ephesians 6:14 where the Scripture tells us to put on the armor of God before we do spiritual warfare. But in this context he is telling us to put on certain characteristics that will prepare us for peace, not war. Whereas in Ephesians we are putting on the armor for war, here we are dressing ourselves for a peaceful existence with other Christians. We are to clothe ourselves with garments of the new life in Christ. These are the garments worn by the person who has been changed by Jesus.
Illustration: Some years ago, the cartoonist pictured Charlie Brown bringing out Snoopy’s dinner on Thanksgiving Day, but it was just his usual dog food in a bowl. So, Snoopy took one look at the dog food and said, “This isn’t fair. The rest of the world today is eating turkey with all the trimmings and all I get is dog food. Why? Because I’m a dog all I get is dog food?” He stood there and stared at his dog food for a moment and said, “I guess it could be worse. I could be a turkey.” Folks, whenever we begin to think that life is unfair we need to think again. (Mel Shepherd @ SermonCentral)
2. Because He CHANGED us (vs. 12b – 14)
Paul is clearly talking about unity in the church. He is talking about the kind of harmony that should exist among those people who really love the Lord, among those people in whom the Holy Spirit is living.
(i) Heartfelt compassion
(ii) We are to put on kindness
(iii) We are told to put on the garment of humility
(iv) We must put on the garment of gentleness or meekness
(v) We are told to clothe or envelop ourselves with patience
When we put on these traits two specific things take place:
(a) We forbear with one another
(b) We forgive one another
Being thankful and having peace are related. Generally, when the church lacks peace and harmony it probably results from self-seeking or dissatisfaction with things as they are. If you are not happy with the way things are going, or if you want things to be done your way, and it’s not being done your way, then it will most likely result in disharmony within the group. Being thankful points one to the realization that all things are provided in Christ. There is little room for ill will or bitterness if thankfulness prevails. If your attitude is that of thankfulness to God for what He has done and continues to do, then you may have little time for dissatisfaction and disharmony.
3. Because He CALLED us (v. 15)
The word translated "called" means to summon or to call your name, as if you had been summoned to court or to the table of the king. The imagery here is that God has called us out of the world to live in His eternal presence. In His presence there is peace. There is no fighting between His people. If Christians could simply picture themselves in the presence of God, where His holiness, might, splendor, and glory were on display, there would never be any lack of unity or peace between them.
The peace of God mentioned here is not the indwelling feeling of comfort, but rather an external reality that mediates between Christians. What Paul is saying here is that the peace of God should govern our hearts. It should have control of and power over our hearts to the end that as a body we are one.
Don't misunderstand me. There is a right way and a wrong way to have peace. The wrong way is to leave sin unchecked, to compromise truth for the sake of unity, to allow the devil a foothold. The right way is by speaking the truth in love, confronting sin, and forgiving the sinner. But because we are called or summoned into His presence, we are to allow His peace to arbitrate all of our dealings with one another.
4. Because He COUNSELS us (v. 16)
In wisdom we are to teach and admonish one another. Teaching is the positive side of this coin. It is where we positively instruct one another, where we share insights, truths, and wisdom with each other. Admonition, on the other hand, is the negative side of teaching. It means to warn or to caution others. When you love someone, you do both. You instruct them as to what they should do and you warn them as to what they should not do.
Because God's Word is at home in our hearts, we are to allow it to direct our interactions with one another. We are to allow God's Word to teach us, to counsel us as we teach and admonish one another. And all this is to be done in an attitude of praise and worship, as we give thanks to God for all He has done.
This is fascinatingly insightful. Some people, when they admonish or teach others, assume a condescending or holier than thou attitude. But what the Scripture is teaching us is that our attitude should be one of praise and worship, one of gratitude and thanksgiving.
When you are focused upon praising God, upon worshiping Him, upon thanking Him for all He has done for you, it will keep you in His presence, mindful of His mercy and His grace, mindful of your own unworthiness. It will keep you from having a wrong attitude toward others.
5. Because He CARES for us (v. 17)
Take a look at your life. How would you describe it? Contented? Rushed? Exciting? Stressful? Moving forward? Holding back? For many of us it’s all of the above at times. There are things we dream of doing one day, there are things we wish we could forget. In the Bible, it says that Jesus came to make all things new. What would your life look like if you could start over with a clean slate?
Our gratitude causes us to be careful about how we carry the name of Christ. It causes us to be mindful of the fact that we are called Christians, and that our actions reflect to the world the reality of Christ. That's what it means to do something in the name of Christ - to do it on His behalf, under His authority, and according to His will.
Illustration: In regions of Mexico hot springs and cold springs are found side by side, and because of the convenience of this natural phenomenon the women often bring their laundry, boil their clothes in the hot springs, and then rinse them in the cold springs.
A tourist watching this procedure commented to his Mexican guide: "They must think Mother nature is generous to freely supply such ample, clean hot and cold water." The guide replied, "No senor, there is much grumbling because she supplies no soap." (A. Todd Coget @ SermonCentral)
Application: Is that wonderful change in your life evident? Has light filled the darkness of your soul? How has it changed the way you treat your fellow Christian? Has His presence given you the ability to forbear, to forgive, to love others more than you love yourself? What change has been wrought in your life? Has your life ever been restored? And if not, why not today?
