Where the Downhill Slide Started

Those who are familiar with the first chapter of the book of Romans will remember that it contains information about people characterized by their ungodliness and unrighteousness (v. 18). As one reads some of this material, he/she may think that they are reading descriptions of people, philosophies, and activities of our day.  

Maybe it would be appropriate at this point on our calendars to consider where the downhill slide into sin, degradation, and disobedience started. How did these people who, at one time “knew God” (v. 21) get to the point where they were objects of the “wrath of God?” (v.18) Where did the journey start that caused them to get to the point where “God gave them up [to their own desires and sinful practices]?” (v. 21)

The text itself provides the answer:

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful… (v. 21)

The calendar informs us that “Thanksgiving Day” is this week. I join a long line of those who remind us that thanksgiving should not be limited to one day or one season. I am not the first (nor will I probably be the last) to suggest that there are many benefits of having an “attitude of gratitude.”

Thankful people tend to be happier, healthier, and more pleasant to be around than those who are perpetually angry, pessimistic, complaining, etc. In other words, there are both personal and social benefits that result from remembering the people and things for which to be thankful. As the text reproduced above reminds us, we should ultimately be thankful to the One who has allowed us to have those blessings.

Your Thanksgiving meal this week may not be as elaborate as some enjoyed by others. There may be an empty seat at the table that used to be occupied. Things may not be like they used to be, like you wish they were, or like they could be. At the same time, I’m guessing that, with very little effort and reflection, all of us can come up with a fairly long list of good things in our lives.

Maybe, as we sit down for a special meal on a special day this week, it would be a good time to start a family and personal tradition. The tradition I’m suggesting is not one that should be observed one day a year.  Instead, it would be good if we would make it a practice every day to…

Count your blessings, name them one by one..

Count your blessings, name them one by one;

Count your blessings, see what God hath done;

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

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AUTHOR: Jim Faughn