The Finest Sentiment
“Thankfulness could well be the finest sentiment of man – and also the rarest.”
Why would it be the rarest sentiment of humankind toward God? Well, to be thankful to God is to acknowledge that He actually exists. And if He truly exists, then we know that His recorded word has been given to guide our lives. And if we know His word, we would also know that we have been made in His image with the potential to become His family members. However, all this simple and true knowledge points to our Father’s greatness and not to our own. Therein lies the answer.
From Romans 1:21 we read: “…because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened”. Many have been aware of God but have refused to humble themselves to worship Him. Humility before God takes far too much away from self-image and self-will. In that state, thankfulness toward Him evades them.
Unwittingly, the unthankful are presently denying themselves entry into God’s family. The Apostle Paul wrote: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by which we cry out, ‘Abba, Father’” (Romans 8:14–15). Our Father’s adopted children glorify Him by seeking to imitate every aspect of His character and personality.
There will be many thankful family members in the end. “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified” (Romans 8:29–30). God didn’t call those whom He has called to fail, but He has called us to glory within His family. His whole plan of salvation revolves around family. Beginning with Passover and all the way through to the Great White Throne Judgment, how can we feel anything but thankful, even though the world does not share in the sentiment.
Think of the depth of our Fathers enduring love for His family that will never end. “Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You will endure; Yes, they will all grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You will change them, and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will have no end. The children of Your servants will continue, and their descendants will be established before You” (Psalm 102:25–28). Family could well be God’s finest desire and design. And thankfulness could well be the finest sentiment of His grateful children.
Marshall Stiver
