We are born naked, without any possessions. As we grow our parents educate us on how to be thankful for what we receive. The sense of gratefulness, though, is personal. Gratefulness comes from the heart. Being grateful is much more than just saying “thank you”. Being grateful is recognizing that someone, has been graciously kind to us. Being grateful is to appreciate what we have been given, it’s an attitude.
So after being born naked all we have, we owe to God. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:17 NKJV)
How great and merciful has God been and still is to us! So much so that, without deserving it, he sent his only begotten son to save us. God deserves all glory, all honor and our most genuine and deep gratefulness. Even Jesus gave us an example of how important it is to be grateful. “And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” (Luke 22:19 NKJV)
The Bible beseeches us to be constantly grateful to God. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 KJV) Notice that this verse exhorts us not to be anxious under any circumstance, but to ask God with thanksgiving (with an attitude of gratitude, knowing He is control). So we are not to just ask and say “thanks”, we are to pray without anxiety or fear believing that God will give us what is best for us. Note that the verse states first: not to be anxious (believe), second: with thanksgiving (with grateful attitude for what God in his perfect will shall respond); third “and” (then) the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (we will receive the peace of God for our mind and heart by the merits of Christ).
Let’s understand that we have no merits by ourselves. We have been saved by grace through faith. “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57NKJV) Our victory comes from Christ because justification implies the removal of sin that Christ paid for and the imputation of righteousness through Christ. Recognizing it must have as a natural consequence a genuinely gratefulness and (as a sign of gratefulness) a God-centric life. Gratefulness has to be spiritual and manifested through the flesh.
“in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV)
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