What Does Thanksgiving Mean?

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What Does Thanksgiving Mean?

1 Corinthians 10:10-13, Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were
destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are
written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that
thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is
common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are
able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

It is only natural, even anticipated, that anyone understands a word and interprets it by
the meaning the culture he lives in has given that word. However, one of the basic problems in
understanding the Bible is that cultural definition of a word determines the interpretation of a
Bible truth. Because of our present day conception of the meaning of a word, we miss the divine
principle God seeks to impart.

For instance, our word thanksgiving, is so foreign to what the Biblical meaning is that
many miss the whole impact of this wonderful truth. Webster states that thanksgiving is, The
act of giving thanks; grateful acknowledgment of benefits or favors; an expression of gratitude
for something received, or done for, one. That is NOT what the Bible means by the word
thanksgiving!

The Biblical meaning of the word thanksgiving is not something you do. It is not
something that is spontaneous, or an extemporaneous expression of thanks for some good deed
done, or good that that has come our way. The biblical concept of the word thanksgiving does
not depend on something one has, or has received. This word has nothing to do with outward
circumstances, but rather, has to do with ones spiritual attitude toward life.

Paul declared, in Philippians 4:11, I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to
be content. Thanksgiving is a learning process. It is allowing the Holy Spirit to place within us
contentment or a real praise of thanksgiving to God for everything in ones life. Biblical
thanksgiving is not what one does, but rather it is what one is what one has become as a result
of absolute and complete trust in Christ Jesus. It is the spirit in which one accepts all things.

Our problem often is that we have in mind what a word means our definition of the
word and, it is almost impossible for us to divorce that word from the meaning we have given
it.

Let me illustrate. When Jesus came into our life, we were born-again. We have the
same body and the same soul (mind, will and emotions); however, our spirit was made new
given birth (John 3:6). Now Jesus lives within us and He desires to express His life through our
life.

Ephesians 3:20 refers to the power that worketh in us 2 Peter 1:4, states, We are
partakers of His divine nature. For instance, Christs love lives within us and we are to love
others not with our own love but with Christs love. He is love, and needs to express His
love for others through us. Jesus said, I am Life and He desires to live that divine life through
our daily life.

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The Biblical meaning of the word thanksgiving is not something someone does, but
rather it is, because Jesus lives within us, a life of thanksgiving becomes a daily expression of
His life.

This is not self-improvement. No! It is God manifesting His life through us.

Now, lets read Ephesians 5:18-21, And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but
be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing
and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and
the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear
of God.

The power of God lives within us however, it is often bottled up inside, imprisoned,
locked up tightly inside us. A thanksgiving-attitude is the valve to express Gods goodness.
The way to get at the resource within us is to express praise to God. Thanksgiving releases
this great ability and power within us.

Lets also read 1 Thessalonians 5:18-19, In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of
God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit.

There are only two ways to face life: The natural way of complaining, murmuring and
grumbling; the other way is to, In everything give thanks to count it all joy when you fall
into various trials (James 1:2) rejoice evermore (1 Thessalonians 5:16) and remember, All
things work together for good to those who live God and are willing to fit into His purpose
(Romans 8:28).

It is the easiest thing in the world to complain. We complain about the weather, a
neighbor, the boss, our wife or husband, the kids, our parents, etc. God commands us to, In
everything give thanks.

Lets look 1 Corinthians 10:13. It says, There hath no temptation taken you but such as
is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are
able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
What a wonderful promise God has given to us here.

Now, lets look at verse 11, Now all these things happened unto them [That is, to the
children of Israel] for ensamples: and they are written [Throughout the Old Testament] for our
admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. The stories in the Old Testament that
tell us of Israels experiences are for a warning to us.

Look at Numbers 11:1, And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and
the LORD heard it; and His anger was kindled. We are told the people of Israel were
complaining about all their misfortunes, the Lord heard them, and His anger flared against them
because of their complaints.

Lets go back to 1 Corinthians 10 and look at verse 10. Well see what verse 11 was
talking about. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the
destroyer.

What Does Thanksgiving Mean? 3
Our spiritual-attitude is to constantly be one of praise to the Lord. If God sees fit to
take one of our loved ones home to be with Him if we lose our job and source of income if
things get difficult at school if I have to go to the hospital for two months my inner spiritual-
attitude must always be one of Praise to God.

I am not speaking of a fatalistic attitude a what-will-be-will-be outlook toward life.
Im not talking about just glibly saying, Praise, or thanks, God for what has taken place. No!
Im speaking about what the Holy Spirit, by Christs life within us, can enable us to become
not something we do!

Praise means to extol, to laud, to honor, to acclaim, to express approval it is giving a
positive affirmation. It simple means that we accept and even approve of this circumstance
as a part of Gods plan for me!

The Living Bible renders 1 Thessalonians 5:18, No matter what happens, always be
thankful for this is Gods will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Our attitude can hinder us. 1 Corinthians 10:13 promises, There hath no temptation
(trial) taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be
tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape. This
power within us that is release through praise will enable us to face any circumstances.

What God Wants to Do

Gods eternal purpose for our life is to bring us into divine fellowship and communion
with Him. The highest form of communion with God is thanksgiving! We are to have an inner
spiritual-attitude of thanksgiving, not because we feel good, but as an act of obedience to His
Word and spiritual development of our Christian life.

God has promised to achieve this within our life however, in addition to Gods power
within; it requires a setting of our will. God will not force His design for our life upon us, but,
if we will co-operate with the life of Christ within us, and bethankful, God will release His
power into whatever situation we go through.

God commands us to Be thankful in all things. These things may be tragedies,
irritations or uncomfortable situations. Therefore, when the Bible says, be thankful, it cannot
have the same meaning as our word, be thankful.

When one gathers up all the Scriptures on thanks and praise, and studies them, he
comes up with quite a different meaning than our English words would imply.

We can allow an attitude (or spirit) to rule us. We meet someone who is discontented
and unhappy because he has allowed this spirit to rule him. He cannot blame heredity,
environment or influence, because he has allowed an inner attitude to possesses him and decide
how he will feel toward a given situation.

God commands that we be cheerful. Jesus said, I have come that your joy might be
full ( John 15:11). Jesus often said to His followers, Be of good cheer! In the same manner
that God has commanded us to be honest, to be truthful and to be kind, it has commanded us to
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be cheerful. We have a duty to give happiness to those whom we meet. Being cheerful is a
Christian duty, even when we dont feel like it!

Jesus had a very difficult, hard life. He was a man f sorrows however His life was
always radiant. He had an inner joy. No one was ever depressed by His presence.

The Bible commands us to Rejoice! This does not take out the pain and the sorrow of
our life. Jesus said, In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have
overcome the world things are in My hands I am victorious in Me you have peace.

Thanksgiving is not a question of whether we are going to give thanks or not, but it is a
question of what spirit we will allow to rule us. We have the characteristics of the Holy Spirit
within us and He expresses Himself through praise.