What if I do not feel like giving thanks?

I Thessalonians 5:18   “…give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (NIV).

   Recently I have not felt thankful much.  First, I have been unemployed for a marathon long time, which has been awful.  Second, it has been a longtime dream to be married, and this summer I attended a Christian singles group hoping to find a dating opportunity, but most in the group were older than myself, and I did not even come close to one date.  And further attempts to find a singles group for people in my age range in the Denver area came up empty.
   Jesus, when He was being crucified on the cross, did not give thanks He was saving numerous people.  Instead He cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34 NIV).  That is because as He took the sins of all people upon Himself, He suffered the consequence of separation from God the Father.  There was actually a separation in the very being of God for a period of time for the sake of people.
   Even Christians are not always going to feel thankful in this fallen world where separation has taken place, and due to our own sinfulness.  Yet we followers of Jesus are united with God, indwelled with the Holy Spirit, thanks to that sacrifice by Jesus.  Thus we can always be thankful in our hearts, if for only one thing, for the fact Jesus died for us.  Jesus Christ died on a cross for the forgiveness of sins of anyone.  He was the substitutional atonement for the consequence of sins, which is spiritual death in hell.  Then He was resurrected.  If you believe in Jesus, you will be forgiven of sins, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit, and you will have eternal life with Him.
Hunter Irvine

Colossians 4:18

Colossians 4:18    I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.  Remember my chains.  Grace be with you (NIV).

   In doing this study on Colossians, I have grown to admire Paul more as I have further realized he went all out for proclaiming the gospel.  That passion ended up getting him “under chains” for a long time.  When he wrote this letter, he was under arrest in Rome where he had been transported in Roman custody from Caesarea.  Previously, he had been in prison in Caesarea for two years, from 57 to 59 A.D. (Acts 24:27).  The reason: for preaching the gospel, as is shown in Acts.
   Before being sent to Rome, there was a new governor in Judea.  That new governor had a king, King Agrippa, listen to Paul.  Paul gave a defense to the king, including a testimony.  After being interrupted by the governor, Paul addressed the king: "'King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets?  I know you do.'
   Then Agrippa said to Paul, 'Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?'
   Paul replied, 'Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains'" (Acts 26:27-29).
   Paul, after so much misery, could have quit.  Yet he continued proclaiming Christ crucified and resurrected before governors and kings, before common people, and in letters such as this one to Colossians.  And incredibly, his desire was for all to be saved, even those who had him in chains!  Because of his faithfulness, God used Paul to write Scripture which we are blessed by today almost two thousand years later.
   Tragically, a few years after writing this letter, Paul was executed for his witness of Christ under the reign of the Roman Emperor Nero.  Paul is in heaven now.  After studying this letter to the Christians at Colossae, if Paul were in the room I would give him a hug and say, “Thank you brother.”  And I conclude this personal commentary on Colossians by saying, “Thank You Jesus!”
Hunter Irvine

Colossians 4:7-17

Colossians 4:7-17    Tychicus will tell you all the news about me.  He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.  I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.  He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you.  They will tell you everything that is happening here.  My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)  Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings.  These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.  Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings.  He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.  I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.  Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.  Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.  After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.  Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord” (NIV).

   I like the closings to Biblical epistles!  Many contain the names of people and places which give an exclamation mark to the fact Christianity consists of the family of God.  That is why the terms brothers and sisters are used.  True Christianity necessitates a relationship with Jesus, and receiving Jesus means being adopted into the family of God (John 1:12-13).  And Jesus enables us to be in loving family relationships.  A number of those family relationships are challenging, sometimes even hurtful, yet they are legit.
   A key insight into the family of God here concerns Onesimus.  That man left Colossae as a runaway slave, yet thanks to Jesus he returned to Colossae a brother in Christ.  Paul calls him a brother, going so far as to state Onesimus is “one of you.”  We learn further of how Paul stated Onesimus was no longer a “slave” rather a “brother,” in the letter which is Scripture which Paul gave Onesimus to give Philemon when they arrived in Colossae.  Christianity is about the dignity of every human being, since we were all made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).  The Bible is not advocating slavery.  The Bible is giving an invitation to join a forever family.
   I close by stating the obvious: Christianity is not one big happy family in this world.  Among Christians, there are sadly ample divisions and ample sins, which always lead to hurt.  Yet all people who have received Jesus in their hearts are ever growing in the love and knowledge of Jesus.  And one day when we are all in heaven, the family of Jesus will be perfectly loving, for real.
Hunter Irvine