The Nature of True Thanksgiving

In Luke 17, we read about Jesus'healing of ten lepers. While all ten received the gift of healing, only one returned to give Jesus thanks and worship. This narrative demonstrates the great contrast between true thankfulness and the lack thereof. There are three aspects about true thankfulness that we can learn from this account: 1) True Thankfulness recognizes the source of the mercy received; 2) True thankfulness responds with worship and humility; and 3) True thankfulness reflects true saving faith. Gratitude is not an option--it is God's will for all believers through all circumstances. A spirit of ingratitude betrays a heart of pride. Therefore, Christians, of all people, should live in gratitude for God, spreading that gratitude to others as a testimony of the greatness of God's mercy bestowed upon us.