Be Ye Thankful - Colossians 3:15

A Sermon by Dr. Neil Chadwick


Recently when we were reading various New Testament Scriptures related to the Body of Christ, we came across a very short and simple sentence, one which contains no new or revolutionary teaching, but a simple reminder. It stands alone, and expresses in three simple words today's message, "Be ye thankful." (Colossians 3:15) Actually, we could end it right now - that's the message, "Be ye thankful." We can go home now.

However, let's take a few minutes to examine this statement a little more closely.

You'll notice that we've provided the King James rendition, including the archaic word, "ye". This is to point out that this is a message for all of us. In our language, the second person, both singular and plural is the word, "you." For example, if we say "I love you" it could mean a single person or a group of people. In the language of the Bible, however, it is clearly differentiated when the "you" refers to a single person or to a group. "Ye" is the Old English word used to carry the plural meaning, so that the exhortation that we're looking at today is given to many people, not just one - "You all be thankful."

It's also important to emphasize the "be" word. Most of the time, whether in the Biblical passages or in our everyday speech, we think of "thanks" either as an action word or as a noun. That is, we "give thanks" and usually speak of "thanksgiving". Thanks is something we do or give. However when we listen carefully to our sentence for today, "Be ye thankful," we realize that this is different - we're now talking about a state of being, a state of mind, an attitude.

    To better understand this, it is helpful for us to see the connection between gratitude and grace. The fact of the matter is, in the Greek language of the New Testament, the word "grace" makes up a part of the word for "thanks." "Charis" is the word for grace, and "eucharistos" is the word for thanks. Literally then, the word for thanks means "good favor." What connects these two words in our language is this word, "favor." For example, when the angel came to Mary to announce the birth of Jesus, the angel said to her, "You have found favor (charis) with God." (Luke 1:30) And in Luke's very brief summary description of Jesus' youth, he comments that Jesus "grew . . . in favor (charis) with God and men." (Luke 2:52)

In our language, think about these related words, "gratitude," "gratuity," and "grace". When the waitress or waiter at the restaurant serves you well, that is, gives you favorable service, you want to show your gratitude by providing a tip, which is called gratuity. If the meal or the service was not favorable, you might still provide a small tip, but only grudgingly or out of a sense of duty.

If we're talking about "being" thankful, and not just "giving" thanks, we're now talking about treating everyone with favor, that is, we are being gracious - it's a state of being rather than an action.

    We understand this distinction being and doing in other areas. For example, Jesus calls us to "be" witnesses, and we understand that there is a difference between being a witness and doing witnessing. The doing may involve preaching, handing out tracks, and talking to people about their eternal destiny. Being a witness is living the Christian life openly before family members, friends and neighbors so that they see in us extraordinary joy, peacefulness and genuine love.

    Some people understand this distinction when it comes to expressing sorrow. We can do it by words and/or actions; we may speak words of condolence or take food to the homes of the bereaved - that's doing. But sometimes, it's better to just be there. Or let's say someone who is very close to you is terminally ill, lying in the hospital. You can busy yourself, running around adjusting the bed, turning down the lights, puffing up the pillows, and providing your loved one with ice chips to keep their mouth moist. Or you can talk to them, telling them how much they have meant to you, or perhaps sing a favorite hymn or read a Psalm. All of that is good, but often all that is needed is that you just sit there next to them - just being there is enough.

The word says, "Be ye thankful."

In line with the connection between thankfulness and grace, we can say that the call is for us to be gracious. This is supported by a verse in the very next chapter, "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." (Colossians 4:6)

    One commentator suggests this to mean that our speech should be "courteous and agreeable, not morose and melancholy." Another commentator, William Burkitt, sees here counsel that our speech should be "mild and courteous, savoury and gracious, wise and discreet."

So we can see that "Be thankful" means much more than simply saying "thank you" whenever someone - God or person - does us a kindness. It has to do with a manner of life.

Now we want to notice what leads up to, and what follows this simple statement in Paul's letter to the Colossians.

    In the preceding section, Paul has described the contrast between life before, and life after Christ. The "before Christ" picture (verses 5-9) involved sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed, anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language and lying. In contrast, the "after Christ" picture (verses 12-15) involves compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, love, and peacefulness. All of these are desirable character qualities which are being developed in the life of the Christian.

    Then, almost as an after-thought, or perhaps standing alone to give strong emphasis, Paul adds, "And be ye thankful."

    In the two verses following this statement, thankfulness is mentioned again. Verse 16 talks about singing "with gratitude in your hearts to God," and verse 17 tells us to do everything "in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

So this is the very clear and simple instruction of the Word of God, "Be ye thankful." But if it's so clear and simple, why is it that gratitude and grace are not characteristic of many people? What gets in the way?

There are a number of road-blocks that could be identified. We'll name eight:

1. Lack of training.

    I love it when I hear parents of young children kindly instructing their children to express gratitude whenever they are given something, whether it be a treat for dessert, or a gift at their birthday party. Unfortunately there are some people who grew up without the benefit of such training. It's like the man who when asked why he didn't smoke said, "No one ever recommended that start." There are some people who were never told to start expressing gratitude. However, it's never too late to begin!

2. Another huge road-block for gratitude is pride.

    Of course it's good to have joy and receive personal satisfaction for what we have accomplished, but it's prideful to think that we alone can take full credit. This was Nebuchadnezzar’s problem, and look how God dealt with him! If we don't think we need any help from anyone, when they do offer or give it, we're certainly not going to give them any recognition or gratitude. Proud people are never gracious, unless it's calculated to get some benefit in return.

3. Closely related to pride is prejudice and discrimination.

    In this case gratitude is blocked because there's an attitude of condescension; the looked-down-upon person is simply doing what they're paid to do, so they don't deserve to be thanked. Sadly, some parents have this same attitude toward their own children - they just expect them to do their chores and don't think to give them the appreciation and affirmation they need.

4. Then there's anger and bitterness.

    This is when we get stuck dwelling on previous losses to the extent that we no longer appreciate the blessings of the present due to the blisters of the past. This is why the Bible advises us to "not let the sun go down on your wrath" - let yesterday's issues go so you can enjoy and appreciate what God brings your way today.

5. Past experiences also can produce suspicion and fear which will also block gratefulness.

    Instead of just accepting what is offered as a blessing from the Lord, we may be tempted to try to find some hidden motive - "They're being nice because they want something in return."

6. An attitude of entitlement gets in the way of gratitude.

    This is when we begin to feel that we are owed something, that we deserve some special treatment and consequently fail to be appreciative.

7. The Bible counsels us to avoid comparing ourselves with others.

    This is what is written in II Corinthians 10:12: "We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise." One reason they are not wise is that comparisons can lead either to pride or to resentment, but certainly not to gratitude. Why would we be grateful for a loaf of bread when we notice that the person next to us has been given an entire meal?

8. The last roadblock of gratitude is the focusing on materialism.

    If we neglect the development of our inner qualities while seeking financial comforts, the gracious attitude of gratitude will not be fostered. This is why Jesus taught us to "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness."

Roadblocks to gracious, grateful, living will always be there, but it is important that we make the effort needed to overcome them. The quality of our own lives as well as that of the people around us will be greatly improved if we do so.

    Several years ago my daughter and I decided to explore our local river, the mighty Wallkill. We packed a lunch and launched our canoe just across route 23 and headed north with the current. It turned out to be a memorable, but long and tiring day, for there was little easy sailing along this small river. A total of 22 times we had to find a way to get over or around large trees which had fallen across the river blocking our way. During one such endeavor I fell into the water - during my fall my watch was torn off my wrist, and even though we had tied our cell phone into a plastic bag, it got wet anyway and became useless. However, in spite of the challenges to overcome these "river" blocks, the trip provided a great experience which we will long remember.

Yes there are significant blocks as we endeavor to, as Peter says, "grow in grace" (II Peter 3:18), but it is worth the effort. To become a gracious, grateful people, our own lives will become favorable and we will bless everyone around us.

So, "Be ye thankful."

Discussion Questions
Be Ye Thankful - Colossians 3:15

1. Besides one of these words being old English, what is the difference between "you" and "ye?

2. What is the difference between being thankful and giving thanks?

3. How can it be explained that the word for "grace," meaning "favor" is found in the middle of the word for "thanks"?

4. What might be the difference between Jesus saying, "Go and preach the Gospel," and "Ye shall be witnesses"?

5. Why is it that very often people who are in grief are left to suffer alone?

6. What are some words you would use to describe "gracious" speech?

7. In the passage in Colossians 3:1-17, how does Paul raise gratitude to a position of prominence?

8. Why is it that short, simple, instructions from Scripture are not easy to comply with? Besides "Be thankful," can you think of other not so easy commands to obey?

9. Why is it that young children can be easily taught to say "thank you," but some of them seem to easily forget this courtesy in their teen years? 10. How does pride get in the way of gratitude?

11. Why is it that people who dwell in the past are less likely to be thankful people?

12. What is "entitlement" and how can such an attitude affect gratitude?

13. Why do you think the Bible is correct when it says that comparing ourselves with others is not wise?

14. How can the preoccupation with material things hinder the development of gratitude?

15. Why is it important for us to make the effort needed to become a gracious, grateful people?

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