Topical Bible: Salvation: Saints: Commemorate, With Thanks

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In the Christian tradition, the concept of salvation is central to the faith, representing the deliverance from sin and its consequences through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. This salvation is not only a personal experience but also a communal celebration among the saints—those who are sanctified and set apart for God's purposes. The commemoration of salvation with thanksgiving is a recurring theme in Scripture, reflecting the gratitude of believers for the grace and mercy bestowed upon them.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible emphasizes the importance of giving thanks for salvation. In the Old Testament, the psalmist declares, "I will give thanks to You, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders" (Psalm 9:1). This expression of gratitude is rooted in the recognition of God's mighty acts of deliverance and His steadfast love.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul frequently exhorts believers to be thankful. In his letter to the Colossians, he writes, "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful" (Colossians 3:15). Here, thanksgiving is linked to the unity and peace found in the body of Christ, a direct result of the salvation believers share.

Commemoration Among the Saints

The early church set a precedent for commemorating salvation with thanksgiving through communal worship and the observance of the Lord's Supper. This sacrament serves as a tangible reminder of Christ's sacrifice and the salvation it secured. Paul recounts the words of Jesus during the Last Supper: "This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me" (1 Corinthians 11:24). The act of remembrance is inherently tied to gratitude for the salvation provided through Christ's atoning death.

The saints are also encouraged to commemorate salvation through songs and hymns. Ephesians 5:19-20 instructs believers to "speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." This practice of musical worship fosters a spirit of thanksgiving and reinforces the communal aspect of salvation.

The Role of Thanksgiving in Sanctification

Thanksgiving is not merely an expression of gratitude but also plays a role in the process of sanctification. As believers give thanks for their salvation, they are reminded of their identity in Christ and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit at work within them. This ongoing transformation is part of the believer's journey toward holiness, as they are conformed to the image of Christ.

Philippians 2:12-13 highlights the cooperative nature of sanctification: "Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence but now even more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose." Thanksgiving, then, becomes a means by which believers acknowledge God's active role in their spiritual growth and maturity.

Conclusion

The commemoration of salvation with thanksgiving is a vital aspect of the Christian life, deeply rooted in Scripture and tradition. It serves as a reminder of God's grace, fosters unity among the saints, and contributes to the ongoing process of sanctification. Through worship, remembrance, and gratitude, believers honor the gift of salvation and the Savior who made it possible.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 116:12
What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits toward me?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Letter v. --For 333. Easter-Day , Coss. Dalmatius and Zenophilus ...
... saying, I will take the cup of salvation, and call ... but should also imitate the deeds
of the saints. ... bore witness every year, so now we commemorate our salvation ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter v for 333 easter-day.htm

Rejoicings of the victors.
... The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed ... of God with gladness; let
us commemorate his victory ... What so many of the Lord's saints and confessors ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/rejoicings of the victors.htm

Liturgy of St. Dionysius, Bishop of the Athenians .
... O God, the Holy Spirit, Perfector and Sanctifier of Saints. ... have we hope of attaining
salvation, since indeed ... O Lord, and through it we commemorate Thy charity ...
/.../letters of dionysius the areopagite/liturgy of st dionysius bishop.htm

Whether the Words Spoken in this Sacrament are Properly Framed?
... I will show him the salvation of God ... in those sorrowful offices which commemorate
our unhappy ... is offered." Secondly, he commemorates the saints, invoking their ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the words spoken in.htm

The Liturgy of the Blessed Apostles.
... At the commemoration of saints. ... Christ, who was offered for our salvation, and commanded
us ... Thee, praising, glorifying, and exalting, commemorate and celebrate ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/early liturgies/the liturgy of the blessed.htm

The Divine Liturgy of James the Holy Apostle and Brother of the ...
... world, sacrificed for the life and salvation of the ... part and inheritance with all
Thy saints that have ... an interpolation as follows: "Let us commemorate our all ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/various/early liturgies/the divine liturgy of james.htm

The Extent and Reasonableness of Self-Denial
... we become truly wise, even "Wise unto salvation." It was ... own church set apart festivals
to commemorate the deaths and sufferings of the saints, but in ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the extent and reasonableness of.htm

The Lord's Supper
... 1) The near mystic union between Christ and his saints. ... that we have great cause
to commemorate his death ... in examining ourselves, as our salvation depends upon ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/4 5 the lords supper.htm

The Bible and the French Revolution.
... Both are witnesses also to the plan of salvation. ... Century after century the blood
of the saints had been ... A medal was struck to commemorate the massacre, and in ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /15 the bible and the.htm

The Bible and the French Revolution
... Both are witnesses also to the plan of salvation. ... Century after century the blood
of the saints had been ... A medal was struck to commemorate the massacre, and in ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 15 the bible and.htm