The character of Father God is to be generous even when humanity rejects His will to bless. Romans 2:4 says "Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?" God never had to 'cut his losses' after Adam and Eve sinned. He didn't have a plan B. He still doesn't have a plan B and He never will have a plan B. His plan, expressed through the cross, is the only plan that redeems humanity. It is the only plan that works for the sinner. His plan was to not spare His Son but to spend His Son so that sinners could be redeemed.
When someone has been redeemed, their freedom has been paid for. We live in a world that demands rights and freedoms but has forgotten to return to the One who paid for that freedom. Psalm 103:2 says "Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all His benefits..." This verse is reminding us to express gratitude toward the One who secured our freedom - freedom from unforgiveness, freedom from sickness and disease and freedom from condemnation, guilt and shame. How grateful ought we be to the One who took the fall for us? How grateful ought we be for the opportunities to start afresh? How grateful ought we be, given that He receives us as His children, saved by grace and kept by grace? How grateful ought we be knowing that He will never abandon us or forsake us?
Perhaps the best expression of gratitude is worship. David worshipped the Lord because the size of His God was greater than the size of his sins. David coveted the presence of the Lord and he pleaded that he be upheld by "His generous Spirit". (Ps.51:12) He was grateful for the mercies of the Lord. How much more grateful ought the believer be knowing that he is totally forgiven so much so that He (God) chooses to remember our sin no more. Realisation of these promises will cause us to have an attitude of gratitude toward God Himself and toward people around us. His benevolence will activate an attitude of gratitude.
Gratitude is often learned through the difficult passages of life. Often people who have lost someone or something of great value such as good health, learn to express gratitude because they are more aware of what they now have as opposed to what they have lost or don't have.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 says "...in everything give thanks..." Gratitude is best practised by acknowledging the small things around us. One way to do this is to write down a list of six things that you can give God thanks for each day for at least one month. As you do this don't be surprised when your own state of health improves. You are designed to "prosper in all things and be in good health just as your soul prospers". (3 John 2) An attitude of gratitude will cause you to prosper!
This blog is based on a message by Pastor Ross Smith, Senior Pastor of The Vine Church, Logan City, Queensland, Australia, called "Growing an Attitude of Gratitude" (14/12/14) The full message can be accessed by podcast from www.thevine.org.au/teaching.
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