Keep on thankin’ and fightin’.”
–Zane Grey (Nevada)
“For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.”
–2 Corinthians 4:15 (NKJV)
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One of the things I have never understood are how some Christians walk around with their lower lip so low that they step on it. There is very little brightness in their life, their is very little hope and their life is one that is mostly humdrum. Complaining Christians cannot be joyful Christians. Unthankful Christians cannot be contented Christians. It may be an indication of their relationship with God. Gary Inrig said, “An attitude of overflowing thankfulness is one of the prime indicators of our relationship with God.” We are to be thankful in the small things as well as the grand things that come our way–in short, we are to be thankful in everything. Inrig continues, “The state of our relationship with God is clearly revealed by our gratitude towards Him.”
Christians will say that it is all about a relationship. Hmmm, but what kind of a relationship I ask? A nominal one? A casual one? Our relationship can be seen by our thankfulness. Paul writes, “…continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2:6-7, NIV) Notice those last three words, OVERFLOWING WITH THANKFULNESS.
Are you a rejoicing Christian? Or maybe the one with the fat-lip from stepping on it because of your woes. One of the early church fathers, Leo I, puts the unthankful person in the category of the foolish. “Foolish people too often dare to complain against their Creator, not only when they lack something, but also when they have plenty. When something isn’t given to them, they complain. And when they have certain things in abundance, they are ungrateful…. Let us rejoice in whatever gifts He gives.”
Again I ask, what is your relationship with the Lord? Grateful or ungrateful? Hateful or thankful? Bitter or rejoicing? Moaning your fate or overflowing with thankfulness? I need not remind you, but I will the words of Paul to the church at Thessalonica, “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV) Not only are we to give thanks in all circumstances we are to be “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything…” (Ephesians 5:20, NIV) In all circumstances and for everything–when you can do that we have a truly dynamic and real relationship. G.K. Chesterton gives this admonition, “When it comes to life the critical thing is, whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.”
Thanksgiving gives the call for us to be thankful. Heed the call, listen to the truth, and be thankful in and for all things.
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One of the things I have never understood are how some Christians walk around with their lower lip so low that they step on it. There is very little brightness in their life, their is very little hope and their life is one that is mostly humdrum. Complaining Christians cannot be joyful Christians. Unthankful Christians cannot be contented Christians. It may be an indication of their relationship with God. Gary Inrig said, “An attitude of overflowing thankfulness is one of the prime indicators of our relationship with God.” We are to be thankful in the small things as well as the grand things that come our way–in short, we are to be thankful in everything. Inrig continues, “The state of our relationship with God is clearly revealed by our gratitude towards Him.”
Christians will say that it is all about a relationship. Hmmm, but what kind of a relationship I ask? A nominal one? A casual one? Our relationship can be seen by our thankfulness. Paul writes, “…continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2:6-7, NIV) Notice those last three words, OVERFLOWING WITH THANKFULNESS.
Are you a rejoicing Christian? Or maybe the one with the fat-lip from stepping on it because of your woes. One of the early church fathers, Leo I, puts the unthankful person in the category of the foolish. “Foolish people too often dare to complain against their Creator, not only when they lack something, but also when they have plenty. When something isn’t given to them, they complain. And when they have certain things in abundance, they are ungrateful…. Let us rejoice in whatever gifts He gives.”
Again I ask, what is your relationship with the Lord? Grateful or ungrateful? Hateful or thankful? Bitter or rejoicing? Moaning your fate or overflowing with thankfulness? I need not remind you, but I will the words of Paul to the church at Thessalonica, “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV) Not only are we to give thanks in all circumstances we are to be “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything…” (Ephesians 5:20, NIV) In all circumstances and for everything–when you can do that we have a truly dynamic and real relationship. G.K. Chesterton gives this admonition, “When it comes to life the critical thing is, whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.”
Thanksgiving gives the call for us to be thankful. Heed the call, listen to the truth, and be thankful in and for all things.