Thankfulness does not come naturally to sinful people

Last updated on April 19, 2021

What does praise with a humble heart and spirit mean?

“For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” (Romans 1:21)

In his letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul describes the situation of a world that does not acknowledge God. All humans were created by God, and thus should give Him the honor He deserves. But most people live in “ungodliness and unrighteousness”, Paul observes. And that is not because they simply don’t know better. On the contrary. Paul states that those people “are without excuse”, since they “suppress the truth”. The problem is not that they haven’t a clue about God.

“His invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.” (Romans 1:20) The problem rather is that sinful people don’t want to give God honor and thanks. And that makes God sad and angry. If people don’t acknowledge Him as their Creator and live defiantly against His will, they will ultimately face His wrath. God is worthy of our thankfulness, and He gets offended, so to speak, if we don’t give it to Him.

Do you acknowledge God as your Creator?  When you thank Him for all the goodness shown to you?

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