November 25, 2001

THE GIVING OF THANKS

Ephesians 5:4-20

 

   We are exhorted in Ephesians 4:29 "let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the edification of the hearers." We are also to be "imitators of God as dear children...and walk in love as Christ has loved us" (5:1-2). We are told to not let sexual sins ever be even named among us, "Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks" (5:4). While Paul is strong on the negatives to be avoided, he is equally strong on the positive "giving of thanks"!

   "Giving of thanks" is a transdispensational virtue for all God's people in every age. And while it is appropriate to thank people who have been a help or rendered service, the One most often to be thanked in the Bible is God. Moses wrote of offering "the sacrifice of thanks-giving..." (Lev. 7:12), and David said, "and let them sacrifice the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing" (Psa. 107).

But is it important who we thank? Interviews during recent holiday were interesting in that many thanked those other than God; soldiers, family members, loved ones, and friends. Many religious people thanked deities not recognized by God. For example, Is thanks to Allah by a dedicated Muslim acceptable? Or, was not the recognition of any deity other than God strictly forbidden? Are men free to thank Baal, Zeus, Hermes, Buddha, Ashtoreth,    Ishtar, Molech, or Isris, etc.?

Moses wrote, "...and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth" (Ex. 23:13). And upon entering Canaan, Joshua again instructed Israel to "neither make mention of the name of their gods..." (Jos. 23:7. Does it not seem that giving thanks to or recognizing any idol or any false religion would come under the heading of corrupt communication? For us is it clear. We are to "give thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ submitting ourselves to God" (5:20). This is important for us who seek to "walk worthy...walk in love...walk as children of light...walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil" (4:1- 5:16).

 

Ivan L. Burgener