FAITHFUL MEMBERS of the Church Of Christ never waste an opportunity to express their gratitude to God. They completely understand and believe that they remain alive because of His grace. In their hearts, they know that it is God Who provides their daily needs as well as every good thing that makes them happy. For all these blessings, they never forget to offer their sincere thanksgiving to Him.

But more than these blessings, they thank God for the election that He has gifted them. And so, just like what they have done in the years past, they always prepare and eagerly look forward to the year-end Thanksgiving. As another year passes, faithful members all over the world reflect upon the incomparable blessings that they have received and stand to receive because of their membership in the Church Of Christ, God’s nation in these last days.

By virtue of their membership in the one true Church, they are certain that God considers them as His sons and daughters:

“Fear not for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, And gather you from the west; I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ And to the south, ‘Do not keep them back!’ Bring My sons from afar, And My daughters from the ends of the earth.” (Isa. 43:5-6 New King James Version)

Through the prophet Isaiah, God spoke of His sons and daughters “from afar,” from “the ends of the earth.” The fulfillment of the prophesied sons and daughters of God are none other than the fruits of the labors of God’s Messenger in these last days, Brother Felix Y. Manalo. That God considers them His children is truly incomparable because as such, they are His heirs:

“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” (Rom. 8:16-17 NKJV)

What money can never buy, the members of the Church Of Christ have. As heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, they stand to inherit the promises of God, one of which is the right to dwell in the Holy City for all eternity. For this immeasurable grace, members of the Church Of Christ never fail to gather themselves in their respective places of worship on the day of their Thanksgiving to offer praises to God.

In addition to being grateful for the grace of salvation that they are confidently certain of receiving, the members of the Church Of Christ also express their gratitude to God for His faithfulness to His promises. What He has spoken, He, indeed, has done:

“You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its farthest regions, And said to you, ‘You are my servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away: Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.’ Behold, all those who were incensed against you Shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing, and those who strive with you shall perish. You shall seek them and not find them—Those who contended with you. Those who war against you Shall be as nothing, As a nonexistent thing.” (Isa. 41:9-12 NKJV)

As God adds more years to the lives of His chosen ones, it becomes all the more evident that He has fulfilled and continues to fulfill the promises He gave to His Messenger and to His people in these last days. Yes, Brother Felix Manalo may have already been laid to rest but God continues to grant strength, confidence, courage, and protection to His people in these last days.

They are confident that regardless of the situation of this world, God’s love and protection will continue because He is with this mission—His last work of salvation.

As living witnesses to God’s goodness to His nation in these last days, members of the Church Of Christ, like God’s early servants, will never cease to give thanks to Him:

“Remember me, O LORD, when you show favor to your people, come to my aid when you save them, that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones, that I may share in the joy of your nation and join your inheritance in giving praise.

Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (Ps. 106:4-5 & 1 New International Version)

Truly, God is good. And in celebration of His goodness to His people, millions of Church Of Christ members across the globe will assemble in their respective places of worship on the day of their Thanksgiving to praise God, bringing with them their thank offerings (Ps. 107:21-22 NIV). They will do this with joy in their hearts for they understand and have faith that it is just right and it is good to thank God.