For the Apostle Paul, and indeed for every believer in Jesus Christ, thanksgiving should be a prominent and defining trait. A lack of thankfulness can harden our hearts and cool our relationships with both God and others. Conversely, a grateful heart can reignite joy and the joy of our salvation. In the Biblical narrative, leprosy was a dreaded disease, isolating sufferers from society. Lepers yearned for one thing above all, healing. When ten lepers approached Jesus for healing and were miraculously cured, only one returned to express gratitude. This story highlights common failings, ingratitude and thanklessness.
In contemporary times, ingratitude remains prevalent. Children often overlook thanking their parents, common courtesies are ignored, and help from others is taken for granted. Most significantly, we frequently forget to thank God for His blessings. Ingratitude is a sin, as significant as any other condemned by the Bible. Romans 1:21 (NIV) criticizes humanity for neither glorifying God nor offering thanks. An ungrateful heart is one that is indifferent to God’s mercy and love, forgetting our utter dependence on Him.
The Bible repeatedly commands us to be thankful. Thankfulness should naturally flow from a heart attuned to God. The psalmist declares the importance of singing to the Lord with thanksgiving (Psalm 147:7, NIV), and Paul advises us simply to “be thankful” (Colossians 3:15, NIV). A thankful spirit is a hallmark of a joyful Christian.
We should be thankful because of the countless blessings God has bestowed upon us. Here at Mill Creek View, we express our gratitude for our readers, city leaders, neighbors, advertisers, young carriers, local businesses, staff, and contributors. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all and pray for God’s blessings upon you. Happy Thanksgiving! ◆
