Thanksgiving Part 2

Everything costs something, including God’s grace in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

"Ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (I Peter 1:18-19.)

   That which is free to us cost God the life and lifeblood of His dearest and best. Somebody had to pay for grace, someone other than ourselves. We possessed no incorruptible tender or barter whereby we could have transacted our salvation to us as the freest gift ever given, to be received by grace, through faith (Romans 5:18; Ephesians 2:8-9).

We can give nothing for grace, with the exception of gratitude for having freely received it.

 “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (I Thessalonians 5:18).

Sincere, heartfelt thanksgiving reveals our understanding that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17).  

Remembering the price God paid to make such beneficence possible warms our hearts with appreciation, and fosters in us the loving gratitude whereby we bless our Heavenly Father with participation in the relationship with Him for which the Lord Jesus died.  

“The Lord taketh pleasure in His people. He will beautify the meek with salvation” (Psalm 149:4).  

Yes, gratitude is the “gift” we give in response to the Gift He gave.  Thereby we rejoice in grace so freely provided, but not without solemn remembrance of the most expensive price ever remitted.

“We have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” (Ephesians 1:7).

"Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name."
(I Chronicle 29:13)