Bible Study with Jennifer – Colossians

Living with a Grateful Heart

I’m always amazed at how Christian holidays are made secular in today’s world. Christmas has become focused on Santa; Easter is all about the bunny. Our culture wants the holiday but not the holy day.  But even as Christians, we sometimes make Thanksgiving more about the food, football, and shopping than cultivating a grateful heart. I’m guilty of it myself. 

It seems the idea of keeping the human tradition along with worldly principles is nothing new. In his letter to the Colossians, Paul warned that hollow and deceptive philosophies or ways of thinking would creep into the church. The theme of his letter is the sufficiency of Christ as opposed to the emptiness of worldly principles.

Please read Colossians chapters 1 and 2.

The church at Colosse was started by Epaphras, a convert of Paul’s from Ephesus (1:7-8). When Paul learned of the heresies corrupting the church, he wrote this letter to the Colossians to remind them of the supremacy of Jesus. Circulating throughout the church at Colosse were ideas that strayed from the Gospel, rules about religious festivals, and the worship of angels. Paul reminded the Colossians to keep their focus on the true message of who Jesus is and not the worldly philosophies floating around.

In today’s culture, we sometimes hear that Christians aren’t loving, the church is hypocritical, or the Bible is outdated. These are some of the reasons why many hold to the traditions of holidays but not the God who inspired them. While some who claim to be Christians certainly may be unloving or hypocritical, that fact doesn’t change who Jesus is. And like the Colossians, we need to be reminded to keep our focus on Him alone.

Throughout Colossians, Paul reminds the believers that they are free from human regulations through life with Christ, in whom they have redemption and the forgiveness of sins. He calls them to continue to live in Christ, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as they were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. In fact, Paul mentions being thankful seven times in this letter (1:3, 12; 2:7; 3:15, 16, 7; 4:2)!

Why the emphasis on thankfulness? 

Please read Colossians chapters 3 and 4.

First, being thankful requires that we focus on God. Just as the Colossians needed to be reminded to live holy lives in Christ, we too must daily choose to stay focused on Jesus in a culture that reveres Him less and less. When our hearts and minds are set on Him, it is easier to die to sin and live for Christ out of gratitude for all He has done.

Second, being thankful takes our minds off ourselves. In a culture obsessed with the self, we must be intentional to discern truth from cultural lies through the messages of social media, television, and books. Gratitude to God for salvation, for the Holy Spirit, and for His Word will keep our hearts humble when the world encourages pride and self-reliance.

Third, thankfulness is a quality of holy living that God requires. As God’s chosen and beloved people, we are called to compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance, and forgiveness. And we are called to gratitude. When our hearts are thankful, we don’t expect others to meet our needs. We look for ways to bless them instead. And that makes us more like Jesus.

Those who think they are better off without God in their holidays and celebrations have taken hold of empty philosophies. They enjoy gathering with friends, but they miss the blessing of being a friend of Jesus. They delight in giving gifts, but they reject the greatest gift of all in salvation and eternal life. They experience the festivities of the holidays, but their celebrations are meaningless apart from Christ (2:23).

The book of Colossians is a reminder that Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, the head of the church and over every power and authority. In Him we have been reconciled to the Father and given victory over sin and Satan; therefore, He is worthy of our celebrations, our remembrances, and our thanks.

Biblical thanksgiving is a daily attitude, not just a yearly celebration. So, as the world around conforms to the latest fads and cultural trends, let’s be encouraged to hold to the truth of who Jesus is and cultivate a grateful heart.

Practical Applications:

Copy Colossians 3:17 on a note-card and place it somewhere you will see it every day as a reminder to keep your focus on Jesus and give thanks to the Father.

Be intentional about walking out the commands of Colossians 3:12-14 as you gather with family for the holidays. Ask those closest to you to hold you accountable.

As you gather around the table for Thanksgiving, be sure to make Jesus the focus of your celebration.

Prayerful Response:

Father, we give You thanks for the great gift of Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords, the author of salvation, the ruler of all things, the One who was and is and is to come. Be glorified in our holiday gatherings as we focus our hearts on You alone.