Grace, Guilt, & Gratitude
Grace, guilt, and gratitude are at the heart of the gospel. In a sense, they tell the story of the whole Bible. We are born as little lawbreakers in desperate need of grace. We attempt to make ourselves worthy and acceptable to God through human effort but fail heinously. However, God intervenes on our behalf by offering his undeserved grace through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
That is the good news that is available to all who will receive it. What follows next then should be the logical response to this kind of rescue: a life of gratitude. You would think that with the burden of all our sins removed we would want to say thanks in as many ways as possible! If nothing else, you would expect that the energy of pure gratitude would propel us to never-ending acts of worship and service. Grace…gift…thanks (gratitude). These words are inseparable! And they should be inseparable in our hearts. Wherever you find one, you should expect to find the other.
Grace, gifts, and gratitude are all freely given. Romans 5:20 says that where sin increased, grace abounded all the more. Should it not follow then that super-abounding grace ought to be followed by super-abounding gratitude?
Is the gratitude that flows from your life as abounding as the grace that has flowed into your life? If not, why is that?
How do we take what we know and make it what we live—more than just a duty to be fulfilled?
I suggest that we start by having a heart that is as grateful toward God as the abounding grace that he has poured into our life. That ought to keep us grateful for a long time. If you find yourself struggling to have a grateful heart, here are three practical ways to get in tune with the heart of your heavenly Father.
1. Do something for someone else. Take your eyes off of yourself and your own needs and commit to serving someone else in their need. Make a meal for a family in need. Provide respite for a caregiver. Take a friend to coffee, listen to her, and then pray for her before you leave. Volunteer at a local mission. Visit your local nursing home. Bless your pastor’s family with a random act of kindness. Write a note expressing gratitude to that person you keep meaning to write but never actually do. It doesn't have to be extravagant; just do something to serve someone else as an expression of gratitude.
“Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.”
2. Spend time in prayer and repentance. Take some time to get alone with God and be honest with him and yourself. Once you are alone, take time to consider these questions:
How have I expressed gratitude to God this week with my actions?
What things have I taken for granted that I need to repent of and ask God for forgiveness?
What holds me back from living a life of abounding gratitude?
What is one small step that I could take this week to be more intentional in expressing gratitude?
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
3. Be still. Life has a way of getting full. Maybe what you need most right now is to sit quietly with your Savior – no electronics, no other people, and no other distractions (this sounds heavenly to me). When was the last time that you just sat in the presence of Jesus and allowed him to have complete control over your thoughts and prayers? When was the last time you adored him or gave him praise just because of who he is and the grace he has given to you? Maybe today is the day that you hit the pause button on all of those urgent items (they will be waiting for you when you are finished) and carve out some time today to be alone with your Savior.
Guilt required grace. Grace required nothing. Gratitude is our natural response to abounding grace. That is the good news that is available to all who will receive it. What follows next then should be the logical response to this kind of rescue: a life of gratitude. What response will you choose?
Praying your that your week is abounding with gratitude and joy,
Heather