Thankfulness Promotes a God-honoring Lifestyle
As an illustration of how thankfulness promotes a God-honoring lifestyle we may turn to the following quote from the pen of John Milton, the celebrated English poet: “Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world.” If we thank God, we will revere Him, and such reverence will help us look at all of life as that which we are to live coram Deo – before the Lord’s face in a way that pleases Him, with no reason to be ashamed.
In Romans 1:18-32, Paul locates humanity’s most basic sin in our refusal as fallen creatures to honor God “or give thanks to Him.” Lack of gratitude for all of God’s blessings is the first step toward idolatry, and the more we have the easier it can be to forget that all we have comes from the Lord’s hand. Spend some time today thanking God for His blessings and always endeavor to acknowledge that your success is due ultimately to His kindness.
- from Tabletalk Magazine, March 2010
