Give Thanks to God #414 - November 12, 2006
Thanksgiving is right around the corner. It's a time to praise God for all His benefits. We thank God for food, clothing, shelter, transportation, communication, and the degree of health we enjoy, the freedom we have to come and go... The list goes on and on.
Most importantly, we ought to thank God for the spiritual benefits we enjoy. "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary" (Psalm 107:2). The redeemed ought to give thanks to their Savior before a watching world. Redeemed people are purchased and set free. The image is that of slavery. Someone comes along and purchases a slave. Then he gives the slave freedom. That someone is Jesus Christ. We are slaves. We are slaves to sin and evil. We are due the death penalty for our evil deeds. Christ willingly goes to the cross and dies; He pays the death penalty for slaves like us. He sets us free.
The adversary in this picture is the devil (1 Peter 5:8). Slaves of sin are members of the devil's empire, the kingdom of darkness (Colossians 1:13). Jesus Christ boldly raids and plunders the strong man's house (Mark 3:27). Christ then leads forth a host of captives (Ephesians 4:8). Ultimately He leads them into the inner precincts of heaven (John 14:2, Hebrews 6:20).
For a free audiotape on this subject, call 1-800-777-0389
email: [email protected]; or visit: Word for the Week
Thanksgiving is right around the corner. It's a time to praise God for all His benefits. We thank God for food, clothing, shelter, transportation, communication, and the degree of health we enjoy, the freedom we have to come and go... The list goes on and on.
Most importantly, we ought to thank God for the spiritual benefits we enjoy. "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary" (Psalm 107:2). The redeemed ought to give thanks to their Savior before a watching world. Redeemed people are purchased and set free. The image is that of slavery. Someone comes along and purchases a slave. Then he gives the slave freedom. That someone is Jesus Christ. We are slaves. We are slaves to sin and evil. We are due the death penalty for our evil deeds. Christ willingly goes to the cross and dies; He pays the death penalty for slaves like us. He sets us free.
The adversary in this picture is the devil (1 Peter 5:8). Slaves of sin are members of the devil's empire, the kingdom of darkness (Colossians 1:13). Jesus Christ boldly raids and plunders the strong man's house (Mark 3:27). Christ then leads forth a host of captives (Ephesians 4:8). Ultimately He leads them into the inner precincts of heaven (John 14:2, Hebrews 6:20).
For a free audiotape on this subject, call 1-800-777-0389
email: [email protected]; or visit: Word for the Week