Thanksgivings Always

   Indirectly a thankful spirit turns the key to much morality.  “Covetousness,” Leslie Flynn writes, “is the egg from which hatches major outward iniquities.”  Coveting a neighbor’s property may lead to stealing or even murder.  Coveting a neighbor’s wife may lead to adultery.  Coveting a neighbor’s reputation may lead to slander.  Victory over covetousness can mean victory in most areas of morality.  THEREFORE, thankfulness prevents immorality. 

   Cicero, that great Roman statesman, orator and philosopher of the first century, said that “a thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues.”  Loving gratitude toward a neighbor leads to a concern for his property, reputation, marriage and life.  

   Erwin Lutzer in Living with Your Passions writes, “Sexual looseness begins with ingratitude.”  The first step to moral ruin is listed in Rom.1:21:  “For even though they knew God they did not honor Him as God or give thanks”  and the rest is history.  Sin and unthankfulness always go together.  Paul writes in Ephesians 5 an exhortation to be a follower of God who has provided grace for us through Christ.  “But immorality, moral impurity and covetousness (or greed) let it not be named among you as becometh saints.  Neither filthiness, nor foolish talk or coarse jesting which is not fitting- but rather giving of thanks.  Thankfulness is related to morality and living to please God!

   We all should not forget, but think of the goodness of God to us, and thank him—not just Thanksgiving Day, but daily.  We probably need reminders to thankfulness.  Church is one of the greatest reminders.  Will you be in Church Sunday?  With thankfulness?  It’s a public testimony of thanks to God—the least you can do.

Pastor Mark