The Apostle in writing to the Colossians, along with other necessary exhortations, adds this one — “and be ye thankful.” (Col. 3:15.) It is an exhortation we all need.
The natural tendency among men is to murmur and complain. We are more ready to let our minds dwell on our ills than on our blessings. Rarely do we meet with a person of a thankful and grateful spirit. It would be well for us to recognise at the outset that by nature we are unthankful and take much of what we receive for granted whether in temporal or spiritual things.
The Saviour’s question, “But where are the nine?” when only one of the ten lepers whom He had healed returned to give thanks, indicates His mind regarding the sin of unthankfulness. Even men of the world regard unthankfulness with undisguised distaste. When little or no gratitude is shown for kindnesses received; when people go out of their way to help others and no appreciation is shown; or when one who receives much good requites it by inflicting an injury on the bestower of that good, it is regarded as most offensive conduct. But how much more abhorrent must an unthankful spirit appear in the sight of God.
What a debt of gratitude every one of us owes to our most gracious and beneficent Benefactor. But the murmurer says, What have I to be thankful for? — whereas in reality he has more to be thankful for than he knows. Life and breath, a measure of health and strength, food and raiment, and a multitude of other considerations in temporal things alone ought to make us bow our heads in shame at the very thought of indulging an unthankful spirit. What hast thou that thou didst not receive? is as true in providence as in grace. Again, What blessing have we ever enjoyed of which we were worthy? In the light of these things, what reason we have to count our blessings and particularly as another year begins to draw to a close. Who is there among us that has not reason to thank the Lord for multiplied and unmerited kindnesses in temporal things?
When we consider spiritual blessings and favours our debt is greater still and our thanksgivings should be multiplied accordingly. Which of your blessings have you not to be thankful for? As a sinner still on mercies ground you have reason to thank and praise God that you are not already in hell where for your sins you deserve to be and where, but for the long-suffering and mercy of God you would already be. Have you not reason to be thankful a thousand times over for the gospel of God’s grace, and for Christ and for salvation? If you have been a partaker of the blessings which are in Christ Jesus, blessings purchased at such a cost for you yet bestowed upon you freely for Christ’s sake: if you have known the love of God shed abroad in your heart through Christ Jesus; can you then but thank and praise the Lord “for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men”? If you are Christ’s then a multitude of blessings are yours, made over to you as yours in Christ Jesus.
Oh, what a debt of gratitude believers owe to Him who redeemed them from death and made them heirs of eternal life and is even now, through the sanctifying work of His Holy Spirit, making them meet for the inheritance of the saints in light. Heaven is a place where none who are unthankful enter. May we therefore grow more and more in the spirit of thankfulness. In this way we will be made meet for the heaven of God.