Today, on Thanksgiving Day, what are you thankful for? And, do you realize there are two very different ways of looking at what you have—relationally, financially, professionally—of your “lot in life?” No? Well, read on!
“Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable [that can’t be destroyed; that won’t disappear or go away] let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.” (Hebrews 12:28 NLT)
All human beings approach the topic of what they possess in this life with one of two presuppositions: (1) entitlement, or (2) humility.
(1) Whether we realize it or not, entitlement begins with the assumption we are utterly worthy, and anything less than complete satisfaction of our every desire is a cosmic injustice toward us. It’s starting at the one hundred percent I believe I should have, and subtracting down for every shortfall, real or perceived.
(2) Humility, on the other hand, recognizes our utter depravity and worthlessness before God and acknowledges that He owes us absolutely nothing. It begins at zero percent and works upward, adding on for every unmerited blessing He gives nonetheless, because we are accepted and loved in Christ.
Do you see the difference? It is a matter of our hearts; no—more than that, it is an acknowledgement of our fallen condition, or a refusal to acknowledge it.
If, contrary to what God says, we insist we deserve—we have set ourselves up against him, and reveal that we are still in rebellion to Him. If we understand we do not deserve anything, and that everything we’ve been given or been allowed to “earn” is unmerited favor from God’s mercy and grace, we reveal we rightly understand of our our true sinful condition. So ironically, our gratitude is actually a sign of faith. And ingratitude—a sign of disbelief.
“Although they knew God, they didn’t…thank him…” Romans 1:21 CEB)
We do not deserve anything. Some will argue with this and say (for example), “But I worked last week; I deserve my pay.” Your employer does, indeed, owe you your pay. But who gave you the education, opportunity to be hired, clarity of mind, physical capacity, and other favorable conditions to actually do your job?
It helps to look at the lot of others in life when thinking about these kinds of things. What—honestly—makes me any different than the people in Ukraine whose cities and homes were bombed? Or the people living in Gaza, or in Sudan where terrible things happen to innocent people? What caused me to at this moment not be suffering as they are; to have blessings they would probably give anything to have right now? Yes, I believe in Jesus Christ; but there are brothers and sisters in Christ in Ukraine and other of these suffering countries, too. My living here and not suffering as they do is not an entitlement, but an incredible mercy!
So today, what are you thankful for? Our gratitude should begin with the forgiveness of our sins and acceptance we have with God our Father through Jesus Christ, and include every other thing He has also mercifully given us—including so incredibly much that is way over and above mere necessity!
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Jesus Christ, and every other blessing You give us! Amen!
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