Gratitude

Are We Thankful? One of the definitions of the word grace in my Strong*s Concordance: The Divine influence upon the heart, including gratitude.

1 Thessalonians 5:18: In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Psalms 100:4: Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Colossians 3:15: And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Romans 1:21: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Thankfulness is commanded. It should not have to be commanded. It should be the attitude of every believer. One notable and noticeable difference between believers and unbelievers is that unbelievers are unthankful. Many believers are thankful but many do not understand and believe God*s unmerited favor and generosity to them. We are breathing His air, living the lives He gave us in the bodies He gave us on the earth He gave us and He is preparing an eternal place for us.

1 Corinthians 4:7: For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?

John 3:27: John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

James 1:17: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

When we encounter complainers we cannot know for sure if they are unbelievers or carnal Christians. If they know the Lord, they certainly don*t know Him very well. An attitude of entitlement, that we deserve nothing but good is not the right Christian attitude. What we all deserve is to be dead physically and separated from God forever. All have sinned and the wages of sin is death. Are we grateful? Is gratitude a way of life?

Care to discuss Gratitude with Ron?

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