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THANKSGIVING – What does it really mean?
Many across our nation will celebrate Thanksgiving Day. If we can slow down before we are rushed into the commercial Christmas season, we still hear a few people say, “Happy Thanksgiving.” Most of us know something about the first Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims and Indians and how both worked together to help one another to survive. Some of us know about how the date of Thanksgiving was decided by each state on various dates up until about the time of Lincoln. The first Thanksgiving celebrated on the same date by all states was in 1863 by presidential proclamation and later it became a national holiday. Not until December 1941 was there federal legislation to make the fourth Thursday in November the official date for the celebration of Thanksgiving. Digging into all the history can be very rich but it does not fully answer our question.
THANKSGIVING – What does it really mean? First understand that one GIVES-THANKS for something, someone, circumstances, or situations. We call these blessings. So what does that mean? If one GIVES-THANKS there must of necessity mean that there is a GIVER and a RECEIVER. So many people say “Happy Thanksgiving” and do not realize the import of what they are saying. In a new age tolerant world people say things without thinking of what they are saying – and people accept it since we should be tolerant. They say “Happy Thanksgiving” like one shoots off the words “good luck.” One cannot just arbitrarily say “Happy Thanksgiving” because once again the import has to do with a GIVER and a RECEIVER relationship. This GIVER-RECEIVER relationship implies that in the end the Greater blesses a lesser. Yes, God (the Greater) is the One who gives to the lesser (mankind).
“O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever.” Psalm 107:1
The next time someone says “Happy Thanksgiving” ask that person who are they giving thanks to? Expect deer in the headlights look, simply because no one ever stops to think. For those who may be agnostic or atheistic, this question causes major problems, simply because one cannot arbitrarily say “Happy Thanksgiving” without having a meaning. If this saying has no meaning to them and they just shoot this saying off in the air then in truth they are not really thankful, because once again the import has to do with a GIVER and a RECEIVER relationship, which implies that in the end the Greater blesses a lesser. Yes, God (the Greater) is the One who gives to the lesser (mankind). Technically, if one is atheistic in their belief system, then they should be consistent and not celebrate during this time of year, because it is set aside for acknowledging and thanking God for the blessings of life.
“Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.” Psalm 18:49
This brings us back to the first Thanksgiving. These Pilgrims were thankful to the LORD God who providentially brought them through disease, famine, horrible weather, and many other troubles. They recognized and celebrated that the Greater blessed and provided for the lesser. This should be our desire and our motive in this and every Thanksgiving holiday. Without doing so one becomes an unthankful glutton, better yet a fat leach feeding off the bounty of the land that God has given and becomes a sluggish zombie zoning out in front of the HDTV watching football games. This should not be so! Not that we can’t enjoy the food, our family, and some football, but stop and take the time to recognize and give thanks unto God for providing for us as individuals, as families, and as a nation for this is His will for us to do so!
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thess 5:18
What makes Jesus different from any other religious leader?
Have you ever heard this religious statement? “It really doesn’t matter what you believe just as long as you are sincere in what you believe”. Somehow the majority of people believe that all the religions of the world are all kissing cousins and we all just need to get along and be tolerant. Of coarse, “we’re all just trying to get to the same place.” Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Mormonism, and the Watch Tower Society are sincere and committed religions. But when their own teachings are compared with the Holy Bible, it becomes evident they are victims of deception when it comes to God, salvation, and the person of Jesus Christ. One may say, why use the Bible to examine these other religions? Good question, but these other religions are the ones who incorporate or pull out Biblical principles and apply it to their religion. Therefore lest us use the Bible properly, as the objective standard, and honestly answer our question beyond the religious façade of these major religions and be consistent with the scriptures.
First, understand that the Holy Bible clearly teaches that Jesus IS NOT just a religious leader, but rather He is God our Savior who came in the flesh to be the sacrifice for mans sin. For example read the witness of Jesus being God.
John 10:32-33
32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
John 20:26-29
26 …then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
27 Then saith he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
Jude 25
25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Understand that the Christian faith holds to the historical and Biblical fact that the literal body of Jesus was crucified, rose from the dead, and that He is now alive (Revelation 1:18; Acts 1:1-3). All other “religious leaders” are dead and in their grave, but their teachings are not! These religious teachings deny either the person of Jesus Christ or the work of Jesus Christ. For example read how the Jews deny the literal resurrection of the body of Jesus.
“…behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. 12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, 13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 14 And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. 15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.” Matt 28:11-15
Even though the Jews, the enemies of Jesus, denied His resurrection, they accept His crucifixion as a historical fact. Yet, Islam cannot have Jesus to be crucified or resurrected. The reason is because that implies divinity, trinity, substitution, sacrifice for sin, victory over sin, and therefore that results into worship for Jesus alone as the Messiah (or Christ). Read for example what the Muslims teach about this historical event in the Koran.
“And because of their disbelief and of their speaking against Mary a great slander; (156) And because of their saying: We slew the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, Allah’s messenger – they slew him not nor crucified him, but it appeared so unto them; and lo! those who disagree concerning it are in doubt thereof; they have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of a conjecture; they slew him not for certain. (157)” Sura 4:156,157 (Koran)
These religions also deny that Jesus is the ETERNAL “Son of God.” Instead, they believe that Jesus was either a messenger or that He was a created being and then called to be a Son of God, and not “the Word” of God that “was made flesh” John 1:14. For example, compare the Koran and the Book of Mormon.
“O People of the Scripture! Do not exaggerate in your religion nor utter aught concerning Allah save the truth. The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only a messenger of Allah, and His word which He conveyed unto Mary, and a spirit from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers, and say not “Three” – Cease! (it is) better for you! – Allah is only One God. Far is it removed from His transcendent majesty that He should have a son. His is all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah is sufficient as Defender. (171)” Sura 4:171 (Koran)
“And because he dwelleth in flesh he shall be called the Son of God, and having subjected the flesh to the will of the Father, being the Father and the Son.” Mosiah 15:2 (Book of Mormon)
The Mormon passage is very subtle, but deceptive. Jesus is not called the Son of God because He dwelt in the flesh, He was already the Son of God made flesh, which teaches is eternality. Read the claims of the Holy Bible.
Isaiah 9:6
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given…”
John 1:1,2,14
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
1 Timothy 3:16
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Titus 2:13
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Most of these religions recognize and “honor” Jesus simply as a prophet and/or a messenger, but if Jesus were a prophet, he would be “faithful” and not “lie” (Proverbs 14:5). If Jesus were a messenger he would be a “true witness” who “delivers souls” (Proverbs 14:25). Who did Jesus say that He was? “I and my Father are ONE.” (John 10:30).
In short, all other “religious leaders” will show you a way, teach some truth, and point you to life, but Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God, is the only ONE who said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6). Other religious leaders instruct you about eternal life, but Jesus Christ is the only ONE who said, “I am the resurrection, and the life” (John 11:25). In fact, all the religions of the world believe that salvation from sin (or suffering) can be obtained and maintained only by the good works we do. The Christian faith is the only “religion” that believes salvation is not in what we do or don’t do, but rather what God through His Son Jesus Christ has done for us. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Who is Jesus Christ? John wrote: “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:31). Be reasonable! Come to the Lord Jesus Christ and you will find “rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:28,29).
Does the Bible have authority over the unbeliever?
We have already established the fact that the Scriptures are the Word of God (see question How Do We Know the Bible is True?), and therefore, all the Scriptures carry the authority of God. Since that is has been clearly established, we need to simply accept in child-like faith these plain scriptures:
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23
Since every human being is a descendant from Adam & Eve all truth that God has revealed applies to all people everywhere at all times. The Bible clearly teaches that we all proceed out from our first parents.
“And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.” Genesis 3:20
As it is said of our first parents that they were created “in the image of God” (Gen 1:27), so it is that everyone reflects that same image of God. The image of God primarily consists of the fullness of having life with special ability to make logical & reasonable decisions, and the ability to freely love. Therefore having the image of God stamped into our very being, we are without a doubt connected to God and we are bound to a relationship (whether good or bad) with our Creator. The unbeliever’s “unbelief” does not change the fact that the unbeliever has been created by God and is accountable to Him. God requires obedience and acceptable worship to Himself alone from all His creatures.
No matter how hard one fights God’s authority – No matter how one tries to do their own thing – No matter if one considers themselves to be politically tolerant – No matter if one calls themselves a “free-thinker” – No matter if one tries to undermine the Holy Scriptures or ridicule believers. If one chose not to believe in God, or decides not to serve God, that does not eliminate God’s existence or His authority!
“For the word of the LORD is right; and all His works are done in truth.” Psalm 33:4
The unbeliever, in spite of his unbelief, is still responsible to obey whatever God says. Anything God says is authoritative to all people, at all times, and in all circumstances. Lastly, we believers were once unbelievers. The question is how did we come to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ? Answer: We were unbelievers who read the authority of God’s word, (the Holy Bible).
“…yea, let God be true, but every man a liar;” Rom.3:4
How Do We Explain the Different Races?
From the beginning of creation it was God’s will for man to populate the whole earth, but in Genesis chapter 11 we read the historic account that human society was of one language and determined with one mind to stay together (Genesis 11:4). Due to their disobedience to the LORD, He confused (or confounded) their language, so that they could not understand one another. In doing so, the Lord “scattered them upon the face of all the earth” (Genesis 11:5-9). As a result of the different languages, people married those whose language they could understand. This arrangement produced separate INBREEDING groups.
Over a few generations these inbreeding groups produced specific characteristics, including different eyes, ears, noses, and shades of skin color. Despite different characteristics and different languages, nevertheless, we all have blood flowing through our bodies, we all are given a soul, and we all are created in the image of God according to (Genesis 1:27).
As foreign as this may seem to this generation, “racial barriers” are broken down by the preaching of the gospel, and not by political correctness. In fact, there are many Biblical examples of racial barriers being broken by the simple preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In Acts chapter 2, Jews from every “nation” believed. In Acts chapter 8, there is the bringing in of the Samaritans and the Ethiopian eunuch into Christianity. Acts chapter 10 records the preaching of the gospel to many Italians in the house of Cornelius. While in Acts 17:16-34, the gospel is preached to the Greeks in Athens. Therefore, if any racial barriers are to broken down it will come through the church of Christ being BIBLICALLY CORRECT. The truth is that, the original manuscripts of the Bible do not use the word “race” to describe different people. Rather, God uses the words “NATIONS, TRIBES, KINDRED, TONGUE, and PEOPLE.” The concept of “race” was purely invented for convenience in biological and anthropological studies. Such concepts led to the pseudo-scientific belief that one race is superior to others. Evolutionary scientists may not all be racist in their personal philosophies but, like it or not, this humanistic philosophy can be traced throughout history as promoting racism. The Bible teaches that there is only “one blood” or one race of men upon the face of the earth – the human race (Acts 17:26).
“And (GOD) hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;” Acts 17:26
Can a Christian believe in Evolution?
This question is often debated. If evolution were defined simply as a change, or variation within a kind – (for example, the growth of a tadpole into a frog) – everyone would agree with evolution. However, the theory of evolution is that all life forms come from the same origin and the basic principle of life is a continual development from simpler elements into living organisms (for example: mud, molecules, monkey, to man). Therefore, evolution is actually a complete world-view (or philosophy) that explains the origin and the meaning of life without the necessity of a personal God who created and upholds all things. For a professing Christian to hold on to the complete and whole framework of evolution means bringing their faith and their understanding of the word of God into serious doubt! Christians may differ with another regarding the understanding of the Bible, but so do evolutionary scientists in the area of evolution. Why is it that the authority of the Bible must come into question and not evolution? Evolution is so widely taught and accepted as “fact,” Christians are often tempted to accept the compromised position of “theistic evolution.” Theistic evolution, views God as using the method of evolution as the means of creation. Is it possible for a Christian to believe in some aspects of evolution? The answer is, yes! The Bible teaches in Romans 10:13 that “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved,” NOT “whosoever does not believe in evolution.” Nevertheless, the real question is: SHOULD A CHRISTIAN BELIEVE IN EVOLUTION? The answer is, NO! A Christian’s desire is to be taught of the Lord (Psalm 119:26-28; John 6:45). This means that the Christian is to take God’s word by faith whether or not it agrees with his preconceived ideas and regardless of what the Christian has been taught in the past. Let it be understood that no one has all the answers. Every Christian may disagree on certain minor teachings in the Bible. This has resulted into many different Christian denominations. Even so, certain central or foundational teachings in the Scriptures are essential to the Christian faith. To modify the creation account of the Bible weakens these essential teachings. These essential teachings are the Holiness of God, the origin of sin, mans need for a Savior, the person of Jesus Christ, and the hope of the resurrection. The Christian should be ready, at all times, to compare scripture with scripture (Isaiah 28:9-13), and to interpret the meaning of life according to the Holy Bible. It is very dangerous to accept or attempt to harmonize any form of evolution with God’s infallible word. God is the God of order and purpose. To believe that He used the means of “survival of the fittest,” which involves death, bloodshed, confusion and cruelty, is inconsistent with the other attributes of His character as presented in the Bible. To accept the theory of evolution as a means of creation is to be inconsistent with the plain teaching of God’s Word (Genesis 1; Exodus 20:11; Psalm 33:6-9; Isaiah 45:18).
REASONS 4 BELIEVING 