One of the characteristics of a follower of Jesus is thanksgiving. While we are to “be thankful in all circumstances”, Paul focuses his thanksgiving on the spiritual blessings that come through walking with Christ. He gives us three reasons to give thanks to God.

Colossians 1:12-14
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

3 Reasons To Give Thanks

God has QUALIFIED us to share in his inheritance

We are disqualified for salvation by our own efforts. Because of our fallen, sinful nature…the only thing we were qualified to receive from God was His wrath. Yet God offers us His grace and mercy through the cross of Jesus Christ. Through the work of Christ, God qualifies the unqualified.

God has RESCUED us from darkness

When we place our faith in Jesus, we are instantly delivered from the dominion of sin and death. Jesus has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and delivered us into His kingdom. Our old life has passed away and we are made new.

God has BROUGHT us into the kingdom of His Son

When God delivers us into the kingdom of His son, we receive redemption and the forgiveness of sins. Jesus has paid the price on the cross to secure our freedom. The result of our redemption is forgiveness. God’s free gift of grace is to pardon our sin.

Our thankfulness flows from the fact that Jesus paid the price to redeem us, God forgives our sins, delivers us from darkness, and gives us a new inheritance in His kingdom.

These truths should cause us to continually give thanks to God!