GOD

… Reconciling the world unto God …

The Scripture used throughout this study is quoted from the King James Version. Any explanatory insertions by the author within a Scripture verse are enclosed in brackets [ ].

© 1995 by Vincent C. Finnegan

P.O. Box 3098, Latham NY 12110, USA

Special thanks to my son, David, for his help.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

THE TWO WALKS

WORKS OF THE FLESH

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

CONCLUSION

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Abounding with Thanksgiving

God’s will is thankfulness from His people.

I Thessalonians 5:18:
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Indeed, all He has given us and done for us should inspire thanksgiving. God’s goodness is unspeakable. His compassion is unfathomable. The mercy of God is completely undeserved, yet reaches into eternity. Oh, how we should thank Him for His goodness to man!

Psalms 136:1-3:
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.

God is the Creator of the heavens, earth, and all that is in them. His wondrous works and great wisdom are clearly seen in His awesome creation. We would have no heaven, no earth, no sun, no moon, and no stars without Him. Everything that has breath should praise Him continuously.

Psalms 136:4-9, 26:
To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:
The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:
The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.
O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Consider the immeasurable expanse of heaven filled with innumerable stars, each accelerating at incredible speed, yet functioning with harmonious order and efficiency. Ponder the bountiful earth, stocked with riches, which has sustained life from Adam and Eve to the billions who dwell on it today!

Heaven and earth are the habitation that God created for man. The air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink, the clothing we wear are all provided by our loving Father God. We have no excuse for not believing in Him and abounding with thankfulness. Yet few acknowledge that He exists, let alone are thankful. Instead, most men are vain in their own imaginations, acting as though the world began and revolves around them.

Romans 1:20 and 21:
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

What would your thoughts be if you had purchased land and labored diligently to build a beautiful home for your loved ones, yet were never acknowledged or thanked? Suppose you provided unlimited utilities and stocked the home with endless supplies, might you appreciate some gratitude? Instead of praise and thanks, ingratitude has been the response to God for all He has done for man. One could easily become angry, bitter, or feel rejected under such circumstances. Yet God remains loving, merciful, and kind even to the unthankful.

Luke 6:35:
…for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

We should praise Him and give thanks.

Psalms 106:1:
Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

We live in a time which has been coined the "me generation," implying a generation of self-centered, selfish people. With self at the center, we become narrow-minded and drown ourselves in pathetically trite self-indulgences dealing with self-image, looks, ideal body weight, and age. The more egocentric we become, the more miserable we become. We have more material things than other generations before us, but the people of our day seem more unhappy and discontent. Instead of knowing the simple joys of living and giving, we have become a people driven by greed and soured by ingratitude. The pains of selfishness — depression, anxiety, despondency, and weariness — overwhelm us. Egocentricity has become commonplace in our nation instead of godliness and loving service to humanity. We get so lost in ourselves, in our own little worlds, that we completely forget about our loving God and Father. Do you want out? Ask God for forgiveness and help, then change your focus to Him and discipline your mind to be thankful.

God is so loving and forgiving that whenever His people have asked for help, He has delivered. Man is so weak that he forgets God delivered him, gets back into trouble, cries out for help, and God delivers him yet again. Oh, that men would praise the Lord for His goodness and for His wonderful works to the children of men. He gives life; He heals; He provides for every need; He delivers; He satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry soul with goodness.

Psalms 107:4-31:
They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;
Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:
Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.
Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.
He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.
Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.
Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.
Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.
Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.
He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.
They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.
For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.
They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end.
Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

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The parable of the prodigal son is often told to show how lost and degraded a son can become apart from the father, and the father’s willingness to forgive. The parable was spoken by our lord in response to the murmuring of the Pharisees and scribes.

Luke 15:2:
And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

The point of the parable is not the prodigal son, but his brother. When the contrary son returned home, his father forgave him and joyfully embraced him. The son was completely reinstated into the household, and the father held a celebration so all could rejoice at the lost son’s return. The father was elated, but the elder son and brother was jealous and angry, just as were the Pharisees and scribes toward Jesus.

Luke 15:25-28:
Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing.
And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and entreated him.

Just as the father did for the younger son, he got involved to help the elder.

Luke 15:29-32:
And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

The older brother should have been abounding in thankfulness for all that he had, as well as the return of his younger brother. Instead of thankfulness, he harbored jealousy, resentment, and anger.

The unthankful mind is fertile ground for evil thoughts to be planted. How quickly we lose our joy when viewing someone else with jealousy; and how sour life becomes when we fail to be thankful.

The older brother was blessed abundantly, but because he was not thankful, he was miserable. How common for the wealthy to be sad while the less fortunate are happy. Wealth does not make the difference, thankfulness does. Do you want to be happy? Be thankful! An unthankful person cannot be satisfied with the largest gift, while the thankful person can have great contentment with the smallest gift.

Asaph, the psalmist, wrote in Psalm 73 about the pain which accompanied envious thoughts. He said "...as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped." His unthankful, jealous thoughts were too painful for him. Then he turned his thoughts to where they belonged, to God; and life came back into focus and perspective. As he then said, "My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever."

When we look at our God and His bountiful blessings to us, thankfulness is easy, and life is sweet.

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Has God done anything for which you can be thankful? Let us consider from Ephesians chapter one just a few of the many blessings which belong to God’s children.

He has given us grace and peace. He is our Father, and Jesus Christ is our lord. We do have so much for which to be thankful!

Ephesians 1:2:
Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

We are blessed with all spiritual blessings. "Some" spiritual blessings should inspire gratitude. What about "all" spiritual blessings?

Ephesians 1:3:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

If an important person who is admired and highly esteemed phoned, would the response be to bubble over with joy and thankfulness? How minuscule an honor compared to God’s calling and making us holy and without blame before Him:

Ephesians 1:4:
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

God is our Father, and we are His children. This truth alone should inspire praise and love.

Ephesians 1:5:
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Considering all these spiritual blessings, we can indeed be thankful and live to the praise of His glory. When our minds track with that which we have in Christ, rather than that which we think we lack in the world, thankfulness is spontaneous.

Ephesians 1:6:
To the praise of the glory of his grace....

He has made us accepted in Jesus Christ, redeemed us, and forgiven us.

Ephesians 1:6 and 7:
…wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Thank you, Lord!

We have wisdom, good sense, and a knowledge of the mystery.

Ephesians 1:8 and 9:
Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

Praise God!

We are going to be gathered together in one when Christ comes back. We have obtained an inheritance. What could we possibly say to the promise of eternal life — thank you!

Ephesians 1:10 and 11:
That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

God has blessed us now and has guaranteed eternal blessings to us also! We do have so much for which to be thankful.

Ephesians 1:12:
That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

We have been sealed with holy spirit which is the earnest of our inheritance. This also is to His praise.

Ephesians 1:13 and 14:
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Three times in this chapter, we are told to live to the praise of His glory. If, with every breath, we utter thankfulness to Him, our gratitude would still not compare with His wonderful goodness to us. From the beginning, God has been so deserving of praise from men and yet has received so little. Should we not put aside all that would hinder us from praising Him, and get busy giving thanks?

Ephesians 5:19 and 20:
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;

Many things can draw our attention away from God and from maintaining a thankful attitude. People can often be a major distraction. God gave us a great example of controlling the mind in an account of the Apostle Paul. While he was in jail, fellow believers were preaching Christ to add affliction to his bonds.

Philippians 1:15-18:
Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

Rather than losing his mind, he decided to be thankful for the good, while not reacting negatively to the evil. If we want to maintain thankfulness, we too must be willing to see the good and overlook the evil in others. We have to decide obeying God by being thankful is more important than that which people say or do.

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To prepare Israel before entering into the promised land, Moses repeatedly told them not to forget God. Deuteronomy covers the eleventh month of the fortieth year in the wilderness right before they entered the promised land. Moses told them to remain thankful and not to forget God — the source of their blessings.

Deuteronomy 8:10-14:
When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.
Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:
Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein;
And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied;
Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;

The human tendency is to forget and to become complacent after we have that which we desire or need. Indeed, Israel did forget God and did not remain thankful. Consequently, they lusted after other gods and lost all that they had.

A young couple, hopelessly in love with each other, are abundantly thankful for the few minutes they are able to sneak together in privacy before they are married. Once married a few short years, this same couple can become so acclimatized to each other that they are most often bickering, ignoring each other, and complaining. Now having taken for granted that which was once so precious — their time together — their lives of love, excitement, and gratitude are replaced with the boring, humdrum existence into which so many lovers allow themselves to fall. For Israel and this stereotypical couple, forgetfulness and ingratitude were their ruin.

God’s will is thankfulness from His people.

I Thessalonians 5:18:
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Two people can be working side by side, laboring at the same task, one depressed, and the other happy. Why the difference? The attitude of gratitude, not the work. Thankfulness should carry over into everything we do.

Colossians 3:17:
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

When we pray, we should pray with a thankful heart or our prayers may become cold complaints.

Philippians 4:6 and 7:
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

We have just one life to live. Why not give thanks unto God while we can?

Psalms 6:5:
For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?

Our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name.

I Chronicles 29:11-13:
Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.
Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.

 

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