8 October, 2024

A Christian’s Thanksgiving

by | 28 November, 2019 | 0 comments

As a follow-up to last week, here is a second editorial about thanksgiving and the apostle Paul.

_ _ _

A Christian’s Thanksgiving

November 22, 1924
An Editorial; p. 8
(Most likely written by Willard Mohorter)

We are never disappointed in Paul. From the beginning he understood that it was the good pleasure of God to reveal His Son in him. This was the goal of his ambition, and to its attainment he gave the whole of his talents. So Christlike was his character, and so exalted were his Christian accomplishments, that he was able to say: “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”

Abundance was a great word with Paul. “I know how to abound,” said he. He was acquainted with “the abundance of grace,” abundant revelations, the abounding sufferings of Christ, how the truth of God abounded. His labors were abundant, and he kept exhorting the saints to abound in the work of the Lord, abounding in love, “abounding more and more.” He had found the life in Christ, the life abundant.

It is little wonder, then, that such a man, “a man in Christ,” should “abound also by many thanksgivings.” More than all the rest, he has taught Christians how to be thankful. “I thank God through Jesus Christ; I cease not to give thanks; giving thanks always; in everything give thanks; thanks be to God.”

A Christian’s thanksgiving is a pretty good test of his poverty or wealth of spiritual experience; a test of the prosperity of his soul.

Unlike most of us, Paul’s thanksgiving was not confined chiefly to material benefits. Indeed, the great apostle was not a favored son of worldly fortune. He was an exceedingly poor man. He knew the heights and depths of hardship and suffering. But through it all he received “the supply of the spirit of Jesus Christ,” and was more than conqueror.

Above all things he thanked God for Christ and the church—Christ the unspeakable gift, and the church the pillar and ground of the truth.

We are today passing through a period of unusually bitter attack upon the church. The public would do well to discern that this assault upon the citadel of Christianity is staged with a straw man which the critics call the “church,” that is not the church, but is a sectarian institution full of superstitions and human inventions and corruption.

The real church is built upon the rock, and the gates of Hades shall never prevail against it. It is for this eternal institution that Paul ceased not to give thanks—a divine institution which embodies “the grace of God” (1 Cor. 1:4), which “proclaims faith throughout the world” (Rom. 1:8), which “shows love toward all the saints” (Eph. 1:15), which “furthers the gospel” (Phil. 1:5), whose “work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 1:1, 2) is the one and only rainbow of promise arching the sorrow and sin and broken dreams of the human race.

We bring our thanks to God for the faith of our fathers, living still, in spite of dungeon, fire and sword.

_ _ _

Jim Nieman, managing editor, Christian Standard

Image: A drawing of the apostle Paul of Tarsus, from about 1700, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Articles

Ministry Help Wanted

Recent postings: A director of campus ministry is needed at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign). Stillwater (Pa.) Christian Church is looking for both a lead pastor and a youth pastor. Lexington (Ohio) Church of Christ is seeking a full-time senior minister. Norwin Christian Church in North Huntingdon, Pa., needs a full-time worship minister. Lycoming Christian Church in Linden, Pa., is seeking a minister of children, youth, and young adults. Michigan City (Ind.) Christian Church needs a senior minister. And more . . .

Stories

By taking these symbols of Jesus’ body and blood, we announce we believe there really was a Jesus, and he really did die for us and carried all our sins down to a grave . . .

Documentary Highlights Christian Response to Pandemics

Southeast Christian Church’s “Purpose in Pandemics” is a documentary that follows the response of the church to pandemics throughout history. The “Purpose in Pandemics” website also includes a study guide for small groups and individuals.

Used of God

I soaked up Sam Stone’s wit and wisdom during our lunches together. Afterward, I’d take notes about our conversations. After hearing of his passing, inspired by his wordsmithing, I felt compelled to share just a small part of his story.

Sam E. Stone: ‘He Tried to Speak the Truth in Love’

In memory and appreciation of our former editor, Sam E. Stone, who died early this week, we share this 2011 column from Christian Standard’s archives in which Sam discussed four Scripture verses significant to his life.

Elliott Library ‘Cornerstone’ Laid

Three Bibles of historical significance to Cincinnati Christian University were the first books place on the shelves during relocation of the George Mark Elliott Library.

The Death of Evil

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. saw in minority groups’ struggles for social equality in America a parallel with Israel’s bondage in Egypt. King envisioned God’s goodness would deliver the U.S. from the evil of segregation.

Mark Scott’s Greatest Kingdom Impact

Since I first enrolled at Ozark Christian College, Mark Scott has been my kingdom hero, and I’m not the only young preacher Mark has shaped. Over his 35 years at OCC, Mark has inspired generations of students.

‘Have We Plans for 1921?’

“All the Standard asks is the opportunity to serve, and it yearns to render in 1921 the greatest, finest, and best service of its history. . . .”

CCLF Concluding Strong First Year in Greater Cincinnati

In its first full year, the Christian Church Leadership Foundation has accomplished much to ensure Christian education and resources would continue to be available to people in the Greater Cincinnati area.

News Briefs for Dec. 9

Items from Timber Lake Christian Church (Moberly, Mo.), Choateville Christian Church (Frankfort, Ky.), Johnson University, and more.

My Counsel for Young Preachers

If I were counseling an aspiring young preacher fresh out of Bible college or seminary, champing at the bit to lead in the church, I would offer these three bits of advice.

My Memories of Marshall Leggett

By Ben Merold
As I think about Marshall Leggett, who passed away on March 2 at age 90, two personal experiences keep coming to my mind . . .

Powell Quintuplets Graduating from High School

When the Powell quintuplets were born in 2001, all of Kentucky celebrated, including Southeast Christian Church, where the Powells are longtime members. Now the quints are 18 and are all headed to the same university.

Reentry: It May Be Harder Than We Think

When the COVID-19 crisis eases, I anticipate that reentry is going to be harder than some people think. Churches, especially, need to prepare for this.