Be Ye Thankful

Colossians 3:15
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

We are to let the peace of God be the referee in our hearts. When there is anger or division in your heart you can not function as a believer in the body of Christ. We were called in one body. The peace of God must be that which rules and not division.

Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

In the Bible there were no greater causes of division than these: Jew Vs. Greek, bond Vs. free, male Vs. female. The early church was divided because Judean believers viewed their position in the body of Christ as better than the Gentile believers. You do not get to be a better believer by keeping the law, becoming a part of the kingdom of Israel, or doing other works. We are all one body. We all are one in Christ Jesus. There is to be no division. Rather, we are to let the peace of God rule in our hearts - and BE YE THANKFUL.

Another major cause of division in the early church was focus on the ministries of men rather than on Christ.

I Corinthians 1:12-13
   Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
I Corinthians 3:4
   For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
I Corinthians 3:21-23
   Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; and ye are Christ's and Christ is God's

So let the peace of God rule in your hearts. You were called in one body. And BE YE THANKFUL.

I Corinthians 14:16-17
Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

These verses indicate that speaking in tongues is giving of thanks and giving thanks well. While in the church it is not edifying to speak in tongues without interpretation, in our private prayer life it is giving thanks well to God. All things are yours. You are called in one body. Speaking in tongues is true spiritual thanks to a loving heavenly father who has given all to us. So speak in tongues much and BE YE THANKFUL.

II Corinthians 9:8,11-12
   And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
   Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgivings to God.
   For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

When we give to meet the needs of the believers God is able and He will bless us back bountifully. This causes us to give thanksgivings to God both for the abundance He provides us and also for the care He provides the believers. So give and BE YE THANKFUL

Colossians 4:2
    Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
Philippians 4:6-7
   Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
   And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Once again the peace of God is tied in the context to thanksgiving. The peace of God guards our heart from cares as we go to God in prayer with thanksgiving. So continue in prayer and BE YE THANKFUL.

Colossians 2:6-7
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith [the right way of believing], as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

We are to walk in Christ. We are to be established in the right way of believing as we have been taught in God's Word. We are to abound in that right way of believing with thanksgiving. So walk in Christ and BE YE THANKFUL.

BE YE THANKFUL

Let the peace of God rule in your hearts. Be thankful you were called in one body.
Speak in tongues and give thanks well.
Give and receive God's abundance with thanksgiving.
Pray with thanksgiving to God and peace will guard your heart.
Walk in Christ and abound with thanksgiving in the right way of believing.

Other Thankful Teachings:

2002 Teaching: Thanksliving

1999 Teaching: Thanks for the Believers

Rev. Hitchcock's 1997 teaching on Thanksgiving.