What would you identify as the most destructive sins of our culture? Idolatry would certainly rank at the top. The failure to exclusively worship the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ leads to destructive living. Immorality is pandemic and destructively epidemic. Adultery, fornication and pornography of all kinds are surely destroying the family and killing our nation. Insolence and indolence are tearing the fabric of our society. That is, we are witnessing rebellion against legitimate authorities, at all levels, and on the other hand those in authority seem to not care that everyone is doing what is right in their own eyes.
Surely these are four serious social sins with serious social consequences. But at the root of such destructive worldviews and behaviours is the most destructive sin: ingratitude. If you asked the apostle Paul for his list of the most destructive sins, it would include these we have mentioned but at the top of the list would be ingratitude. He says so in Romans 1:18–32.
As he describes societal degradation, the beginning point (v. 21) is the failure to “glorify [God] as God.” But immediately he adds, “Nor were [they] thankful.” The result is people became “‘futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” And everything fell apart from there. All of the ugliness that surrounds us is rooted in a failure to live with the worldview, “Thank You, Lord.” May Jesus save us from this sin!
Ingratitude is a serious sin. Most of us know this intuitively. One of the early lessons that we teach our children is to say please and thank you. Or at least we should. When a child assumes that their only responsibility in life is to receive, then we end up with, well, with what we see all around us: irreverence, idolatry, immorality, insolence and indolence. We end up with a cultural mess. We end up with a society that reflects the downgrade described in Romans 1.
Ingratitude leads to the violation of the first commandment, to have no other gods. Ingratitude reveals an autonomously idolatrous heart. After all, if I am not grateful, I imply that I think that I owe no one, that I exist by my own initiative and efforts. Ingratitude implies that I am only receiving what is my right to receive; it implies that life is all about me. Ingratitude makes me an idolater. I become a self-worshipper and live as if I deserve any and all good things that come my way. When I am ungrateful I am guilty of refusing to acknowledge my dependence on others and upon Another. However, when I am grateful, then I am acknowledging that I am a receiver. A gratitude attitude reminds me that I am not autonomous; I am not self-existent; I cannot live an isolated existence. I am dependant—on the Lord.
It was thundering outside last night as I began this article, and I could hear the drizzle of rain beginning; rain for which Christians have been praying. Thank You, Lord!
David wrote in Psalm 103:1, “Bless the LORD, O my soul.” This was the self-medication of self-exhortation; an exhortation to gratitude.
I don’t know what he was going through. Perhaps he was in the midst of some serious affliction, tribulation or heartache. On the other hand, maybe he was just having one of those days; like I sometimes have. You know, those days when your spiritual battery is running low and there is lethargy in your devotion; when you are self-focused and self-pitying. At such times we are tempted to curve in on ourselves. And when this happens, we struggle to be grateful. The self-focused are not self-forgetful; and self-forgetfulness is a necessary precursor to gratitude. It is precisely at such times that we need to do what David did: talk to ourselves, commanding our souls to bless the Lord. Command your soul to commend God. Command yourself to give God thanks.
David reminded himself to “Bless the LORD … and forget not all His benefits” (v. 2). He then lists them. In the words of the old hymn he was doing what we should daily do: “Count your many blessings, name them one by one.” And when you reckon them, be sure to give thanks to God for them.
The Lord is kind, always. He supplies our need and graciously answers prayers. And for the past two days He has daily loaded us with rain. Thank You, Lord.
It is now morning and, after a good night’s sleep (thank You, Lord), I am finishing this article. I see the clouds building this morning. Will the Lord send more rain? Perhaps. And if He does then be sure to say, “Thank You, Lord.”
My dear brother and Pastor Doug,
I thank God every day for you, your family and I thank God for how he has led you, will still lead you as we walk this overflowing life in Him together.
I don’t always get to thank you every time I sit under your leading through Gods word but I want you to know that, whilst sleepless nights come and go, I am always built up, further encouraged and strengthened by your Godly example, unerring faith, very clear gift and insight into His Word..
Sometimes in a service, whilst you are preaching, I just want to sing but the “old conservative – what would people think” takes over but still my heart and soul are filled with awe that God could love me as He does and as He has demonstrated/proven/confirmed that to me through the Gospel of Christ over these past 34 years.
Have a blessed day, our God still has so many exciting times ahead for us because of your faithfulness and your trust in Him.
Pete.