“giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints (God’s people) in the Light.” Colossians 1:12 AMP
We are generally more appreciative of things done for us that we can’t do ourselves. For instance, you would say ‘thank you’ if your pen fell and someone picked it up for you, but you would be much more grateful if someone sponsored your MBA program at Harvard. This is because by your estimation– and rightly so– you could easily have done one more than the other.
The book of Luke speaks of a certain Samaritan woman who was very expressive in her worship of Jesus. A Pharisee, because he had a sense of righteousness in his own self, was not as grateful or expressive. Jesus responded by telling a parable, pointing out that she was so thankful because she reckoned herself to have been forgiven of much (Luke 7:36-48).
The Bible shows us that the payment for sin is death (Romans 6:23). We were deserving of God’s judgement because of our nature of sin, doomed for eternal damnation (Ephesians 2:1-3). However, in Christ Jesus, we did not get what we deserved; we got the free gift of salvation! God, rich in His mercy, paid the debt we owed which we could never have paid ourselves (Romans 3:23-24, Ephesians 2:4-9).
As people who have received salvation in Christ Jesus, we must recognize that we are recipients of the lavish grace and mercy of God and respond with thanksgiving.
When we see the price that was paid for the debt we owed– the blood of Jesus– we see the severity of sin and the debt we owed, which God paid for us (I Corinthians 5:21). He saved us, and even more, He wants us assured of our salvation, so He gave us His Spirit as proof that the work He started, He will see to completion (Ephesians 1:13-14, Philippians 1:6). John 3:16 is true! Because you believe, you have everlasting life. Glory!
People have tried, but no one in the history of humanity has ever been made righteous by works (Romans 10:5-10). Reckon your salvation to solely be the work of God, and give thanks for it. Like the woman in Luke 7, we have been forgiven much so we must thank much.
In view of this, our response should always be thanksgiving (Ephesians 1:3-8). Every day we must remember the lavish grace of God and consciously give ample thanks to God. We could never be saved apart from the grace and mercy of God. Because of His grace, we get to live forever.
Listen, God delivered you from eternal damnation. Even if He never does anything else for you (and He will), He’s already done so much more than you could ever have imagined otherwise! Take some time today to give thanks for salvation.
Bible Reading Plan: 1 Chronicles 1-2