DAILY HOPE DEVOTIONAL: DECEMBER 29 BEING THANKFUL IS A CHRISTIAN VIRTUE SCRIPTURES: 1 Thess.5:18; Col.2: 6 – 7
Amongst many features which distinguished human beings from other animals is ability to appreciate good gestures from a fellow human. It usually sounds strange hearing that one is discovered not knowing how to tell other persons around him or her “thank you when favour is extended to such a person. What attracted my love on the Western people at my initial visitations to their land is their readiness in saying “thank you.” I grew up in an environment where when someone does something good to another person that the word “thank you” is expected. Amongst human beings, attitude of telling people “thank you” is a sign of a civilised person. We are expected to appreciate people at all time.
It is a great sign of civility telling people thank you. Therefore, it is a mark of virtue. The word “thank you” is a seed of good mind, free mind and clean mind. It tells of one who is a grateful fellow at all times. Anyone who lacks the ability to tell others “thank you” should be feared anyway. As Christians, we are to know that expressing thankfulness towards people is virtue. In the above passage, we are not to limit our thankfulness always or in every circumstance to God alone. The Bible says that such is God’s will concerning us Christians. Anyone who belongs to Christ must be thankful to God and to fellow brethren. Jesus Christ said in the book of Matt. 25: 40 that whatsoever is done to the least of the brothers is done to Him. This should be applicable to telling people “thank you” as often as possible and with a cheerful heart.
We as Christians are to be thankful to God and to people every day, not just when we attend church service. Truth is that, there is always something to be grateful for, when we take account of our daily blessings. Giving word of thanks to God makes God to do more things for us. Likewise, being thankful to human beings makes them give us more assistance. The Bible passage that speaks closer to this view is Colossians 2: 6 – 7. Generally, Christians by this passage are told to “overflow with thankfulness.” This means words of appreciation should be coming out of our months continuously toward human beings as well as towards God. Hear what the passage says: – “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up, in Him, strengthened in faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness”.
This devotional admonishes us today to live a life of thankfulness to God and fellow human beings He created alongside with us. Saying thank you to people does not make one inferior but a personality of virtue. Is there any individual who finds this very difficult to do? Even at that, start it. With time, it will become quite easy for you and will begin to earn honour from people.
PRAYER:
BLESSED HOLY SPIRIT, teach my heart how to express thanksgiving to God and to my fellow beings in the name of Jesus Christ.
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