I Am So Thankful!

This Wonderful Time of Grace Series

By Rick Combs

1 Thessalonians 5:18 In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

And for good reason! We as believers should be the most thankful people on earth – full of joy. The Apostle Paul gives THANKSGIVING as the main activity in our prayer life.

Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

2 Corinthians 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

Acts 9 records a dispensational change when the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to Saul of Tarsus – the chief of sinners, knocked him to the ground in the Arabian desert while he was persecuting the kingdom church. Jesus dispensed to him a new gospel – for a new people – with a new destiny that had been kept secret, hid in God since before the foundation of the world.

Back in Acts 7, Stephen while preaching repentance to the unbelieving religious rulers of Israel was stoned by them in reaction to his message. He saw Jesus Christ STANDING (not sitting). This posture was the signal that He was ready to out His wrath and judgment. Psalms 82:8; 110:1; Hebrews 10:12-13; Matthew 22:44 tell us that this is the case.

BUT GOD… oh how I love those words!

God interrupted His day of wrath. Instead, He poured out Grace upon the whole world! Thank God! He set the day of wrath aside temporarily and gave to Gentile and Jew alike, who were all concluded in unbelief… GRACE!  (Romans 11:30-32)

It was against this backdrop of the prophesied judgment of God that His Grace was poured out. The Glory of the Grace of God radiates against the canvas of wrath. This should make us exceedingly thankful every day of our lives while looking forward to the blessed hope.

The Lord Jesus Christ through the Gospel of the Grace of God is now forming the church – the body of Christ. Jew and Gentile are on equal ground. We all can now be saved from sin simply by trusting in the cross of Christ who paid the complete and total payment for all of our sins. His resurrection from the dead gave proof that this payment was forever settled in heaven and earth. Anyone can now be saved from the Judgment of God. Every person can be saved from an eternity in hell. Salvation is now free, by grace alone, and through faith alone.

This is all possible in the finished work of Christ… and Him alone.

Thanks be to God forever.

Lord Jesus, we give you thanks for your wonderful grace that you have dispensed upon the whole world. We are not under your wrath and judgment. We have peace with God. Your longsuffering is beyond measure. We can put our trust in you today while you are still holding back your wrath.

Thank you… Thank you… Thank you for this wonderful time of Grace.

Amen