Giving Thanks to God

This article appeared in "Plain Talk", Volume 13, Number 5, published by the Oaks-West church of Christ in Burnet, TX in July of 1976.

In Romans 1 Paul describes sin in its most basic sense as a rejection of God. Man's responsibility is shown in that he could "know God" as "eternal power and deity" from evidences in the world about him. But man's vanity, his ego prevents his acceptance of God; and this is demonstrated by two things. One, his refusal to glorify God; to praise or look up to God. Secondly, man's ingratitude. "They glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful." (verse 21)

Being thankful, so much like genuine worship or praise demands an humble and contrite heart. It indicates our feeling of need for God; of dependence upon Him. it makes us ever aware that, "in Him we live, and move, and have our being." (Acts 17:28)

Sermons on thanksgiving tend to stress the expression of gratitude that is due, following the reception of blessings. This is of course, in order as Jesus taught when He had healed the ten lepers. (Luke 17:12-19) "Were not the ten cleansed, but where are the nine?" We are daily blessed and should daily express our thanks.

But gratitude goes much further than a courteous thank you or even the most sincere and complete expression of thanksgiving. It is an attitude, basic to the life of a Christian. Paul wrote to the Collossians, "As therefore you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him, and established in your faith, even as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (2:6-7) Various manuscripts relate this thanksgiving to their faith while Lenski says, "it is closely united with the confirmation that is constantly received."

First Thessalonians 5:18 reads, "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." A deep-seated, constant feeling of gratitude toward God seems to sum up the awareness, dependence and confidence which characterizes a true follower of God in Christ; and without which we cannot please Him. It is indicative of faith and hope and love. It produces, "the sacrifice of praise" (Hebrews 13:15) both in word and in a life devoted to Him. (Col. 3:17)