“giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.”

This verse begins another phase of Paul’s prayer. First, Paul prays that God would intervene for the Colossians; now, he demonstrates his appreciation for what they already have in Christ. There is a great distinction between what we need and what we have in Christ. It is a great pity if we do not understand this distinction.

“giving thanks to the Father”

Thankfulness is the fourth effect of entering God’s will (1 Thes. 5:18; Phil. 4:6). Note the other times that Paul asks the Colossians to be thankful (Co 3:15-17; 4:2). We give thanks to the Father because he is the source of our privileges in Christ. God’s grace is already provided for every believer by Christ. The word “grace” is at the root of the Greek word for “thanks.” If we enjoy the benefits of the inheritance, God should receive the glory for supplying it.

Gratitude is an appreciation for God’s provisions. Thanksgiving is a trait of a believer alive to God’s grace. Thanksgiving is a process. God does not want us to give thanks once and then cease. We are to give thanks at all times (1 Thes 5:18).

Note that thanksgiving is directed to the Father. The Son and the Spirit are mediators. Thanksgiving is never directed to them. If we know which department to place our requisition, we will receive our answer sooner. If we know whom to address, we will get an answer quicker. We pray to the Father through the Son in the Holy Spirit.

Principle:

If we orient ourselves to the grace of God (God’s provisions), we can give thanks in every heartache or adverse circumstance.

Application:

Giving thanks in times of difficulty and trial means we are aligned to the plan of God for our lives. This means we orient ourselves to the eternal and not the temporal.