Can we really be “thankful” without being devotional?
In James chapter 3, we are told that certain things just do not go well together. Blessings and cursings, sweet and bitter, olive berries on a fig tree, and salt water with fresh water. When looking at the passage below, it can be easy to understand that the Christian who is truly thankful for being redeemed, will devotionally worship God.
“28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. 29 For our God is a devouring fire.” ~ Hebrews 12:28-29
A sincere loving obedient relationship with Jesus Christ will be seen through consistent commitment. When Peter spoke of certain Christian attributes (2 Peter 1:3-11), Peter said that these attributes not only must be present, but must be ever increasing to truly be productive.
Telling God that we are thankful to Him is good; but unless there is a manifestation of our gratitude, how sincere can it be? The Bible describes for us how a believer is to be devotional.
We are encouraged to:
Assemble / Pray / Give / Study / Serve / Love / Share
These devotional characteristics are a great witness to the fact that we are truly thankful; and they are a wonderful testimony for the grace, mercy, and forgiveness that has been applied to our lives through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
In light of Romans 12:1, it appears that a Christian who is thankful, is a Christian that will make themselves available to be devotional; and in doing so, Revelation 4:11 will come to have a greater meaning in our walk of faith.
Pastor Mike