21because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. [simple_tooltip content=’16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,
23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,
25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.’](Romans 1:16-25)[/simple_tooltip]
Once we know God, we must remain thankful. Why is this important?
A thankful person acknowledges what someone else has done for them. They realize the contribution of another. Therefore, a thankful person is a humble person. Humility is a must in the kingdom of God. One of the strongest ploys of the enemy is to try to get us to believe that we can make it on our own. Thankfulness constantly reminds us that God is our Source. We aren’t self-made men and women; the Lord gave us life, health, talents, and opportunities. We should be thankful!
People who aren’t thankful become vain in their imaginations. They lose the perspective of God as their Source and begin to imagine that it’s some virtue of their own that promoted them. They move off the foundation of faith in the Lord, and as they continue to build, they’re destined to fall.
Thankful people think of and appreciate others and what they do for them. In relation to God, a thankful person knows that “exaltation comes neither from the east, nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another.” (Ps. 75:6-7).
Who is your source? You can know this by who or what you are grateful for. Make it a habit to begin and end every day by thanking God for all He has done, all He is doing, and all He is going to do for you. Then you will never be deceived into thinking you are on your own in life.
