Romans 1:8-15, Gratitude vs. unthankfulness (4)

d)    Thanksgiving is encouraging to other Christians!

Think about the last conversation you had with a brother or sister in Christ.  Or think about the conversations you had in the distance between where you park in the church parking lot and where you sit for the church service.  I know from personal experience that sports, politics and the weather are frequent topics.  And yet, we know from Paul’s Epistles that the point of our gatherings is for edification (building each other up in Christ.  What if our conversations were filled with thanksgiving?  Thanksgiving for the person to whom we are talking.  Thanksgiving for God’s blessing in the previous week.  Actually, let’s permit the Apostle himself to talk to us about this.

i)      Eph. 5:4: Here are some possible topics of conversation: neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.  When Christians talk there is often a lot of laughter, and it’s not the laughter of rejoicing but the laughter of foolish talking. 

ii)   1 Cor. 14:16: This passage is amid the controversy about speaking in tongues at the Corinthian Church.  It reveals one problem with speaking in a language that others cannot understand: Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit (speaking in tongues), how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say?  We need to hear the “testimonies” of others, affirming God’s goodness in our lives.  That encourages us immensely!

iii)            What are some things for which we might give thanks for in the lives of our brothers and sisters.  Again, let’s allow Paul to give you some ideas.

(1)                        Rom. 1:8: Their faith.  This entire passage, 1:8-15, is one of my favorites in terms of the positive attitude of Paul toward the believers in Rome. 

(2)                        1 Cor. 1:4: The evidence of God’s grace in their lives.

(3)                        Eph. 1:15f: Their faith in Christ and love for the saints.

(4)                        Phil. 1:3: Their help in ministry.

(5)                        Col. 1:3: Again, their faith in Christ and love for the saints.

(6)                        1 Thess. 1:2-3: And yet again, their faith, hope and love.  Did you ever tell someone you appreciated their positive attitude in trial, an attitude that comes from their hope in Christ?

Thanksgiving is contrary to criticism.  Criticism discourages man and denies God’s promise to be at work in our lives and the lives of those around us.  Remember the working definition of “gratitude”: “Making known to God and to others in what ways they have benefited my life.”