Thankfulness is the "chief exercise of godliness" in which we ought to engage during the whole of our life. "Gratitude is the heart ... of the Christian life."
Giving thanks to God is then not an optional thing for the Christian. Thankfulness to God for His love, His care for us, and His provision for our salvation permeates both Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, giving thanks to God was often done through the Levitical sacrifice.
Thankfulness should flow naturally from the Christian who realizes the great gift of salvation offered through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. Jesus Christ suffered the penalty for what He did not deserve (all my sin), then freely offered to me the reward (eternal life) that I did not deserve. What an awesome God we serve!
Christian faith can be measure by thankfulness. Our faith is evidenced by how thankful we are, and for how long. This is because only those who have an intimate relationship with God are able to express thankfulness. Those who follow God closely trust Him completely and are able to be thankful even in circumstances that do not naturally elicit thanksgiving.
Let us give thanks in every circumstances and faithfully share this heart of thanksgiving with others.
1 Chronicles 16:8 Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what He has done.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
William Arthur Ward said, "Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it".
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