The Basis of Gratitude: Grace

Introduction

It is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Gratitude changes the pangs of memory into a tranquil joy.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Gratitude ought to be, and I believe it is, in the heart the most powerful force in human motive.

Resurrection For The Just And The Unjust, Volume 59, Sermon #3346 - Acts 24:15

Charles Spurgeon

Our favorite attitude should be gratitude.

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Quotes can be inspiring, but they can also be misleading: they do not provide enough context to give a clear picture. In this case, having an attitude of gratitude isn’t really enough. It’s good be grateful in general, because grateful in general will allow you to see the specific things for which you are, or should be, grateful. In the end, gratitude must be specific to be expressed or even known.

Transition

Even as we train ourselves to be more specific in experiencing and expressing gratitude, we need to know what the basis of gratitude is.

Illumination

A Greek Lesson

Thanksgiving

Philippians 4:6 NKJV

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

Thanksgiving = εὐχαριστία

Grace

Titus 2:11 NKJV

11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,

Grace = χάρις

All Together Now

Thanksgiving = εὐχαριστία

Grace = χάρις

A Grace Lesson

Grace Defined

Grace is receiving what we do not deserve

Grace’s Twin is Mercy

Mercy is not receiving what we do deserve

All Together Now

Grace is receiving what we do not deserve

Mercy is not receiving what we do deserve

A Great Lesson

A quick search of the word “grace” reveals that it appears 128 times in the New Testament.

Crace is a foundation

2 Corinthians 4:15 NKJV

15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

Receiving grace causes thanksgiving and ultimately brings glory to God.

Grace is a gift (not a trade)

Romans 11:6 NKJV

6 And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.

Grace is a motivator

1 Corinthians 15:10 NKJV

10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Remember: Grace motivates effort, it does not require it. From the outside looking in, this may not be clear. But from the inside looking out, it must be.

Conclusion

The cool thing about the basis of gratitude is that it is not inherently Christian or spiritual. Yes, the lesson itself if and it certainly has a great many Christian and spiritual ramifications. But at its core: gratitude works for unbelievers the same way that it works for believers.

Application

As we seek to celebrate Thanksgiving everyday, we remember that an attitude of gratitude, while a great platitude, is not enough.

We have to look for the specific things in our life that we received but didn’t deserve and express our thanks for them.