True Thanks

I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

Romans 1:8

One thing we know about the apostle Paul: he had a thankful heart. In almost every one of his epistles, Paul expressed thanks for the people who would receive his message. Though he knew that each church needed correction, he didn’t just send instruction; he also sent a word of thanks. He was always able to see God’s purposes being accomplished. Paul expressed what is in the heart of all true servants of God—an attitude of gratitude.

Unfortunately, some people go through life dwelling on the negative. They refuse to be grateful for the good that God is doing in someone else’s life. If it isn’t happening to them, then they think it’s bad. Paul didn’t express his thanks by saying, “I’m so thankful for what God has done for me”; rather, he said, “I thank God for you.” He received as much joy from someone else’s success as he did from his own. May the same be true of you as well.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 34). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.

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