THE NAME OF OUR THANKSGIVING
A name is a word or words by which a person or thing is recognized; a reputation. When we convey thanksgiving, in whose name are we giving thanks?
Many of us shared something we were “thankful for” with our family and friends this past Thursday at our Thanksgiving Celebrations. By whose name did you give your thanksgiving?
God’s word gives us instruction for whose name we should give thanks, who we are giving thanks to, and the extent of our thanksgiving. The verse is found in Ephesians 5:20 – “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
We are instructed we should give thanks in the name of Jesus. This name was the name given by the angel of God as the name of the Savior of the world. This is the same name that is above every name and one day every knee shall bow and every tongue confess HE IS LORD. The name by which we should give our thanksgiving is the same name that casts out demons, has more value than silver and gold, gives life to those who hear and believe.
At the name of Jesus we give thanks for all things unto God the Father. Without Jesus, we would have no relationship with God. Our thanksgiving should be given by the name of Jesus who emptied Himself of all His riches and took on the form of a servant to bring many sons to glory. It is from this same God who gave us Jesus as our Savior who gives us every good and perfect gift.
We present our thanksgiving for all things unto God in the name of Jesus. We can be thankful unto God for the sanctifying struggles of this life that makes us long for freedom from sin and a life dwelling with our Father in the eternal Heaven. The far reach of our thanks should encompass all things. . . the “good”, the “bad”, and the “ugly”. God tells us these light and momentary afflictions are working for us an eternal weight of glory.
This Thanksgiving, every Thanksgiving, and every day may our thanks for all things be given in the name of Jesus, our Savior, unto God, our Father. May others recognize The Name of Our Thanksgiving.
Additional Thoughts
Those who do all in Christ’s name will never want matter of thanksgiving to God, even the Father. ~Matthew Henry
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. ~Psalm 100:4