Thank....
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
Romans 1:18-24Who do you give thanks to and why?
Thanks is one of the clearest expression of gratitude that we can give to someone. People give thanks when something of an important value was given to them at one time or over an accumulated time. E.g. we give thanks when we're given a present or when we are going far away for a long period of time. Usually the thanks speech marks the pinnacle of gratitude.
Of course I could go on talking about the nature of thanks and the way we express it - but for the very purpose of this post- I won't.
What I want to discuss is a question that i've rarely seen discussed regarding gratitude and that is the question of "what do you want to be thanked for?".
That's a silly question - you might say. And indeed it is - because we cannot force or expect anyone to be grateful for the things that we did / gave them. That's insincere to do so - and not only that - that is a sure formula to be dissapointed and angry at others.
But regardless of that, we cannot escape the facts that people do feel gratitude if they are given something that is very precious to them. If they don't then it is not as important and significant to them - hence they cannot appreciate it.
I've heard a sermon once - and the pastor said: "When I die - I want to be remembered by my children as a father who had brought them to Christ, more than any other titles that a father can have"
And I thought to myself- WAW! How can he say that - how can he not want any glory for himself after all the hardwork that he had done to his children?! If I were him - i would want to die being called as a "wise father" or "a loving dad" or "a best friend to all". Wouldn't you? Wouldn't you want to die knowing that somehow your efforts were worth something to your value?
But what is your value?
I know that - that pastor understood very well what is most valuable and precious in this world. It is not to be considered as the best / the wisest / the most loving, but to be God's precious child. Standing firm in the cross and the cross only - that was his value wasn't it?
At the end of the day, the things that you want others to thank you for - signifies what is most important in your life doesn't it?
Now, allow me to discuss the verse that I gave at the beginning of this post:
"18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things."
Why did i chose this passage? Because it simply shows clearly what human nature is like doesn't it?
It says that "what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made." I mean, what are those things that God has showed us? It's Himself - He had showed us Him - His power and sovereignty, His attributes and divine nature- namely His love, grace, mercy, and justice. Everything about God.
Everything about God should make us tremble and worship Him - bow down to Him and praise and honour Him. The fact that He had came down from His throne in the form of a lowly human are supposed to make us flat on the ground and worship Him - but do we?
"For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. " We know that we don't - and if we don't want to admit it - this passage should slap us on the face so that we might see clearly.
Allow me to give an example from my own experience.
A few years ago , we had a farewell party for a member of our youth group. We were really close with this person - he wasn't particularly interested in the Bible or such but he was really keen to join us when we hang out together. So, we made a farewell party for him. At the end, he gave a moving speech and said: "I'm grateful to be able to be a part of this group. Because the friends that i had outside of this group were not encouraging. But this group is so positive and encouraging that it helped me to be one as welll. As I go back to indo - i'll remember you all for that." (something like that...)
After that we all felt good about ourselves and etc2. You know where i'm going with this.
There is no one who said: "but that's not what I want to be remembered for!" I'm sure that there wasn't anyone in that place who even thought about that for a second. We all felt good that we were able to be a "good example" for this non-Christian friend. We were so glad that we weren't doing anything wrong and that we were worthy to be thanked for.
It may seem a bit extreme - but have we ever thought about God and His involvement in it? Why aren't we troubled by the fact that this person praised us rather than God? Why aren't we troubled that our Christian fellowship does not point to God but points to the "great time" that we had in the past instead? Doesn't that shows the sinfulness and ungratefulness of our own hearts?
Am I being unmerciful? Maybe.. but at the end of the day. When I attended the funeral of someone whom I loved- I don't want to see that all their life they've spent it on things that won't bring them to God. I don't want to see them die without knowing salvation. And I certainly don't want to be a part of anything that bring my friends further from God rather than closer to Him. Because I know that everything else will burn - it won't last the fire of refinement - but only the things that points to God will stand at the last days.
Impossible to put into practice? Obviously it is. Imagine the many things that we have to give up to do this... the times that we could've spent playing pool or singing kareoke for Bible study or listening to sermons together... the money that we can spend on eating at a fine dining restaurants for supporting the advancements of the Gospel... selfish talks which makes us feel good for godly talks which remind us of God's goodness and mercy and grace in our life... imagine loosing all of that... It's impossible isn't it? Especially when you've been living like that for the whole of your life - how can you possibly change instantly?
But God didn't say instant change did He? He said that He will be with us - guiding us - leading us to the path where He wants us to go. His only demands is that we trust Him fully with our life. Trust that He knows what is best for us even when things are not going as we wanted it to be. And that we depend on Him in prayer and that we know Him through His Words..
So - how did the topic of thanks is related to all of these...?
I guess...to keep on being reminded - at the end of the day "what do you want to be thanked for?" to be remembered for? Because it will show in how you do the things that you do.
Prayer points:
1. God please - never allow me to take the glory that are due to You for myself