Gratitude is a dying trait or characteristic in our society, as people too easily focus on what they don’t, or may not, have rather than being grateful for what they do hold. It’s easy for us to relate to the child who is envious of that kid down the street that has better toys, but what about as adults, and then, what about those that call themselves believers with their faith resting in Jesus Christ?
In our New Testament, Colossians 2:6-7, one finds a very challenging passage of Scripture related to the concept of gratitude.
Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.
Hard question … are we, as 21st century believers, “overflowing” with gratitude? The Greek root word used here for overflowing, if literally translated from ancient manuscripts, would read, “superabound,” thus the idea of overflowing (in quantity and quality) or superfluous. “More than enough” or “abounding” as found in the Amplified Bible / ESV works properly as well.
Now, back to the hard question … are we, as 21st century believers, actually / actively overflowing / abounding in / with “gratitude?”
Yikes! Maybe in a seemingly materialistic culture that’s somewhat narcissistic, ego-centric, pleasure-seeking, and westernized, we’ve forgotten, or neglected the whole concept of living a life abounding / overflowing with gratitude. I mean … isn’t one’s life all about me being happy? You’ve all heard it said … “Just do what makes you happy!” However, happiness is not the basis for the overflowing gratitude found in believers as described in Colossians 2:6-7!
Gratitude, in the Greek text, is a compound word from which we get the word eucharist (for those that were raised in more ecumenical churches). Proper translations of the word into modern day English, in addition to gratitude, are the giving of thanks, thanksgiving, and gratefulness.
In the Greek world / society, the concept of giving thanks was culturally held in high esteem as they offered public gratitude for rulers, and in their pagan religious ceremonies, offering thanksgiving to the gods for their blessings upon humanity.
The apostle Paul demonstrated the invaluable meaning of “gratitude” in Romans 16:3-4 when he offers thankfulness for Priscilla and Aquila, “who for my life risked their own necks.” In Luke 17:12-19, Jesus Christ is approached by 10 lepers crying out, “Master, have mercy on us.” Our Lord administers miraculous healing and tells them to go show themselves to their Jewish priest so they can be declared whole (no longer unclean). On their way, one of the 10 suddenly recognizes the healing that has occurred in his own body and turns back to find and thank Christ while glorifying God… “and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him.” His life was changed forever by our Savior and Lord! Undoubtedly, he was “overflowing in / with gratitude!” If you know this account, the next words of Christ Jesus are somewhat unsettling and unforgettable! “Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine — where are they?”
I’m reminded of an old song written by Billy Smiley and Mark Gersmehl (both of the band, White Heart) and the title song of Geoff Moore’s first album … “WHERE ARE THE OTHER NINE?”
Have mercy on us, the ten lepers cried
Make us whole again, clean and purified
He said to go and show the priest
That they’d been cleansed of their disease
Ten men saw that they were changed
Just one came back to praise His name
Where are the other nine? Why did they just go on?
Where are the other nine? Whose lives have just begun?
Out of ten, why is there only one?
It’s a great question, isn’t it? The Lord rightfully inquired! Now I must ask, “Am I one of the other 9, or living my life everyday like the 1?”
Consider Colossians 3:15, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be (literally – show yourself to be) thankful (being grateful, having / holding gratitude).”
During the next few weeks at WOF on Sunday mornings, we will be diligently studying God’s Word in order to learn, and fully embrace, what it means to live lives that are “overflowing with gratitude!” Bring your swords and let’s defeat the enemy who is always striving to squelch and defeat the abounding / abundant gratitude of the Lord’s people.
MAY WE BE STEADFAST AND IMMOVABLE!
– From 1 Corinthians 15:58
His & Yours, Because of GRACE (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense),
Pastor Frank