What does having a grateful and thankful heart have to do with our walk with the Lord?
What does it have to do with our relationship with others?
We are given a great example in Romans 1:21; however, for context and to see the full effect, we will start in
Romans 1:18-25: 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and [d]Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
Here we see how God has left all without excuse. There is no excuse for someone to believe there is no God. He has put it in their hearts and in all of creation. His fingerprints are on every created thing, right down to the thing that seems to us as the most insignificant. Every little detail, if you look at it, you will see that it is really complex and could only have happened by the hand of a Creator. So, then we are told that these people knew God they chose not to glorify Him as God. What a warning to us that we need to be intentional about glorifying God. My family used to go to a Bible study where the man who was running it would ask everyone to first give God glory and praise when we prayed and then bring our needs. I had never really thought about it before, but I try to do this now as it gets our eyes off of ourselves and onto the Lord. It also opened my eyes to how natural it is to go to the Lord and just ask for things rather than praise and thank Him. These people in Romans did not glorify God as God, and they were not thankful. These two things lead them to become futile in their thoughts. The definition of futile is being incapable of producing any useful result; pointless. So, their thoughts became useless and pointless.
All we have to do is look at the social media of today and see how futile the world has become. Or even look at the news. In the world we live in, reporters cannot think of anything useful to talk about, so they talk about what a movie star was wearing. Or some little spat between two famous people. Who cares? This type of thing is useless. It does not help anyone but rather hurts them. These people are not capable of producing any useful thoughts. The other result of not glorifying God and not giving thanks is that their foolish hearts are darkened. This, too, can be seen by looking around at the world we live in. Things are getting darker and darker. As a result of a futile mind and a darkened heart, they profess to be wise yet become fools. And this is clearly seen in the fact that they knew God and instead worshiped the created rather than the one who created all things.
How are our hearts? Do we glorify God as God? What does that even mean?
In 1 Peter 2:11-12: 11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
So, we are to glorify God with our actions and the way we live.
In 1 Peter 4:7-11: 7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
So, by being of sound thinking, and a sober spirit for the purpose of prayer, fervent in love, hospitable without grumbling, serving one another with the gifts the Lord has given us, then we will glorify God.
Because they did not glorify God or give thanks, but rather were futile in their thinking and darkened their hearts, we continue to read in
Romans 1:24-25: 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
They would rather believe a lie than repent and acknowledge God. And they are turned over to do all kinds of things, including homosexual acts. This is another sign of our times as homosexuality is being shoved down our throats. As we continue in
Romans 1:26-27: 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the [b]men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
So, God gave them a penalty in their own bodies for their indecent acts. And all of this started with not glorifying God as God and not giving thanks. But there’s more. As we continue
Romans 1:28-32: 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
Now it is easy for us to sit here and read this and be like Wow, these people are wicked. But what about us? If we are not intentional in our walk with the Lord, making sure that we glorify Him as God and give thanks always, then this could be any one of us. None of us is above being susceptible to this. So, let’s look at some of the instructions we have been given in scripture.
Eph 4:17-32: 17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 5:1-4: Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. 3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
And we are told in
Psalm 50:23: Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.”
1 Corinthians 6:20: 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
And we are told in 1 Chronicles 16:8: Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples!
Psalm 30:4
Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.
Ephesians 5:15-21: 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.
It is clear that we are commanded throughout scripture to glorify God and to give thanks. By being intentional in these two things, we safeguard our salvation, and we truly get to have a real relationship with our God and with our brothers and sisters. See, as we glorify God as God and as we give thanks to Him, that will transform who we are. There are few things that are more unpleasant than being around someone who is always negative and can never see the good or find things to be grateful for. They typically complain all the time and find the bad or what could be bad in every situation.
For example, at my previous work, I was constantly combating people coming in and talking to my employees about how horrible it is that our branch is closed. They even ask them if they are going to file workman's comp because there was mold in the branch before it closed. I watched these people come in, though, and they were so negative about a company that has been one of the best I have ever worked for. Why, because they are not thankful. I see it as if they cared enough not to leave us in a branch that had mold. This is something that we need to be intentional about in every area of our lives. We need to look for ways that we are falling short and be grateful for those who are in our lives. I was just telling a friend how fortunate we are to have husbands who are honest with us, even when it may hurt our feelings. They tell us how it is. And while in the moment we do not like it, we need to be thankful that the Lord gave us someone to hold us accountable. This is the same with the discipline of the Lord; while it is painful, we need to be thankful for it and the fact that while He loves us just as we are, He loves us too much to let us stay the way we are. We will leave off with this verse
1 Thessalonians 5:14-18: 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.