For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him
NIV
Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks
NLT
For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks
NASB
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful
KJB
Because that when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful
WBT
Of course the context shows that this verse in Romans 1 is talking about unbelievers, however, as I was reading this passage I was very struck with the part that reads, “Neither were (they) thankful” (KJB) or “nor gave thanks to him” (NIV).
It made me think of how I lived my first 14 years of Christianity: in fear that God wasn’t listening to my prayers and that I was all on my own in life: in doubt that He would ever answer my prayers; in unbelief that anything in the Bible was for me and in bitterness, confusion, anger, and hopelessness at the way my life was turning out. And honestly, listening to most Christians today, I hear the same sadness as Believers wonder where God is in their turmoil, I hear doubt that God will actually do whatever Scripture is quoted to try to encourage them, I hear bitterness at the way life is turning out for some, and I hear confusion and unbelief as they think everything bad in their life is coming from God Who is trying to strip them, humble them, and teach them lessons.
And I never hear thankfulness.
Really. I never hear thankfulness.
So many in the body are so absorbed in their sadness or confusion or bitterness, because of whatever trial they are going through, that thankfulness is never heard … and I think thankfulness is a VERY important key to receiving from God.
Listen to what your mouth is speaking today. Listen to even how you pray. Rather than just always making requests from God, take some time to THANK HIM for what He has done, what He is doing, and for the Promises He has made to always “do” for you and your family.
He is Love and generous in what He has already done for each of us in our lives, and He is awesomely merciful and so long-suffering and patient with us in our weaknesses, frailty, and out-right disobedience, which makes Him SO worthy of our thanks.
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Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess (or “that give thanks to” – NASB) his name.
Hebrews 13:15, NIV
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
Psalm 100:4 , NIV
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:7, NIV
Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving
Ephesians 5:4, NIV
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Colossians 3:16, NASB
As we enter into 2012, let us start to daily give thanks to God for His faithfulness and kindness to each of us, and grow in ourselves attitudes of thankfulness and gratitude. God bless your 2012.
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All Comments Welcome
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What a profound teaching —thank you for reminding me… thank you for holding the banner high… I will be thankful because this is a command. The enemies plan is to defeat us in this area….truly a key to the Kingdom of God. Thankfulness. Blessings on you, and we thank God for the tremendous ministry you bring to us with your teachings, lead by the Holy Spirit, we receive this today, and walk in this instruction, which will bring life to us. Anna Mae.
Anna Mae wrote:
“…which will bring life to us”
This really is a true statement that you wrote. The “harder” things that God expects of us … forgiving when others wrong us, blessing those who curse us, continual thankfulness … are not some crazy, opposite of the world attitudes that are expected of us, “just because” God has rules and expectations of us. They are TRULY for OUR benefit. The commands and requests of God keep us soft-hearted and able to receive from God / able to receive all the benefits of the Kingdom.
God’s Words are truly “life to all our flesh” and as we force our flesh and emotions to come in line with the Word of God, we will experience the Peace of God that truly “passes all understanding” … and who would ever want to trade that in for bitterness, or ungratefulness, or un-forgiveness!
Merry, Merry Christmas Anna Mae and to all the readers of Faith Speaks! And in 2011, may God reveal His glory to us and through us above all we can ask or imagine! LeeAnn
Very Inspiring. Thanks!