TRULY THANKFUL
“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;”– Eph. 5:20
There are many ways in which we judge, measure, of determine a person’s character, but I doubt that there is anything better than that of true thanksgiving. A genuine grateful heart is centered on God and a truly thankful heart expresses trust in God, seeing that it is focused on Him. And this is what it takes for us to be contented regardless of circumstances as God commands.
Finding such people is rare, and when we do they are to be commended. However, we ought to do more that just admire or honor them, we should emulate their example. We should strive to be like them because they are doing what God demands from all of us. Mark it down, an ungrateful person is an ungodly person. And we do not fulfill our obligation by just acknowledging it by setting aside a day for it.
None of us can relieve our responsibility by merely observing a national holiday once a year. We should be grateful and express it in thanksgiving every day of the year. Even the biggest ingrate can muster up enough gratitude of a sort to enjoy a day filled with food, family, friends and fellowship. But there is nothing praise worthy about that. It is the person who is truly thankful everyday regardless of the circumstances who pleases the Lord.
However, rather than using thanksgiving as the standard by which we measure others let us use it to examine ourselves. If it is lacking that is a sure sign that all is not well in our life. It is impossible to find a Spirit-filled Christian who isn’t thankful. The Spirit of God produces what the Word of God demands, which in this case is “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;”. So what is the verdict concerning you? Have you taken the time to look at your life in the light of God’s Word? Are you honest enough to face the facts about yourself? Are you truly thankful? Think about it!–HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
