THREE REALITIES ABOUT THANKFULNESS OR A LACK THEREOF.
1. Initial thankfulness is natural as a result my spiritual birth.
And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, Him.
Colossians 2:6a (Phillips)
The seed falling on the gravel represents those who initially respond to the word with joy, but soon afterward, when a season of harassment of the enemy and difficulty come to them, they whither and fall away, for they have no root in the truth and their faith is temporary.
Luke 8:13 (TPT)
Think back to the days after you were first enlightened and understood who Jesus was: when you endured all sorts of suffering in the name of the Lord, when people held you up for public scorn and ridicule, or when they abused your partners and companions in the faith. Remember how you had compassion for those in prison and how you joyfully accepted the seizure of your possessions, knowing that you have a far greater and more enduring possessions…
Hebrews 10:32-34 (VOICE)
2. Continuing thankfulness to God is a good indicator of spiritual maturation.
...you must continue to follow. Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:6a-7 (Phillips)
3. Declining thankfulness to God is a danger sign of my spiritual degradation.
Don't let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.
Colossians 2:8 (Phillips)
These “philosophies tempt me to diminish who Christ is and/or what he has done for me.
Although they knew God, they didn’t honor God as God or thank him. Instead, their reasoning became pointless, and their foolish hearts were darkened 22 While they were claiming to be wise, they made fools of themselves.
Romans 1:21-22 (CEB)
But you must realize that in the last days the times will be full of danger. Men will become utterly self-centered, greedy, full of big words. They will be proud and contemptuous, without any regard for what their parents taught them. They will be utterly lacking in gratitude…
2 Timothy 3:2 (VOICE)
Don’t worry over anything whatever; tell God every detail of your needs in earnest and thankful prayer, and the peace of God which transcends human understanding, will keep constant guard over your hearts and minds.
Philippians 4:6-7 (Phillips)
The easiest way to assess the spiritual direction of my life may be to assess the level of my spiritual thankfulness in my life.
HOW TO KNOW IF I HAVE FALLEN TO PHILOSOPHIES OF INGRATITUDE
1. Does my life show that Jesus controls my life? (He is my Lord)
Be careful not to let anyone rob you of this faith through a shallow and misleading philosophy. Such a person follows human traditions and the world's way of doing things rather than following Christ. All of God lives in Christ’s body, and God has made you complete in Christ. Christ is in charge of every ruler and authority.
Colossians 2:8-10 (GW)
They say they know God, but their actions speak louder than their words.
Titus 1:16a (MP)
2. Does my attitude show that Jesus has saved my life?
In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.
Colossians 2:11-14 (NIV)
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.
Philippians 2:14-16 (NIV)