There have been few diseases that are more dreaded than leprosy. It has produced years of misery in its victims. It is a slowly advancing disease that leaves its victim with bleached white hair, a mass of scales and sores, and the joints of the victim often separate. It was a terrible thing to be a leper.
Today we read of ten leprous men who cried for mercy from Jesus from a distance. (vv1-13) Jesus responds by healing them and telling them to go to the priests. (vs 14) In that time it was necessary for a healed leper go to the Jewish priest to be restored back into the congregation. Lev 14:1-32 Out of the ten, only one returned and that man happened to be a Samaritan, or a foreigner. (vv15,16) Men who we expect nothing from often surprise us with doing the most and some we expect to do the most can disappoint us by doing the least! Jesus said, "But the nine, where are they?" The nine were filled with ingratitude!
This is running wild today, unfortunately. It is a terrible and ugly sin. It describes the wicked who forsook God. Rom 1:21 Paul describes those who have ingratitude well in 2Ti 3:2. God wants us to "consider the great things He has done for you." 1Sam 12:24 Gratitude is a duty. Many suffer from ingratitude today.
The person who showed ingratitude that comes to my mind is Saul. When he was weak and insecure he was a grateful servant of the Lord. It became a different story when God elevated him to a place of power and fame. Saul forgot where his blessings came from! 1Sa 15:10-26 You never appreciate your well of water until it runs dry. The old saying goes, "You don't know what you have until you have lost it." That is ingratitude!
We are blessed with spiritual blessings from our Father in heaven (Eph 1:3) and do we show gratitude by serving Him? WHERE ARE THE NINE?
Far too often, we put family, friends, work, and sports before God. That is ingratitude! Many people are like the hog that eats the acorns under the tree without ever looking up to see where they came from! How many people pray to God for something and "vows" to do this or that in return? After receiving a blessing they never look up WHERE ARE THE NINE?
How many people are supplied with things, healed from a disease, or saved from the perils of death? They say, "Thank God" but they do nothing to "Thank God." WHERE ARE THE NINE?
The Church is called to win souls. WHERE ARE THE NINE? There is no appreciation. There is no gratitude. There is no living sacrifices. There is no life of praise. There is, however, plenty of ingratitude. I praise God for those people who are filled with gratitude. I pray to God for those who are filled with ingratitude.
We are commanded to be thankful. Col 3:15 Are we thankful in everything? 1Th 5:18 Do we have an attitude of thanksgiving? Col 4:2 There are many everyday tings to remind us of our blessings. May we always take time to remember our blessings. The old hymn goes, "Cont your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done." May we all stop and gratefully, respectfully, and with gratitude thank the Lord for our many blessings.
Today, don't just thank the Lord for his blessings. Share with others what God has done for you. Don't just share with your lips, but share with your attitude. Too many people suffer from what I have began to call "Baditudes." Today, may we as God's children influence those around us with our deeds, voices, and attitudes in a way that people know we are thankful to be His and He is our Good Shepherd. IT IS NO SMALL THING TO BE A CHILD OF GOD!
WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?
We must hear the Word of God: Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4
We must believe or have faith: Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31
We must repent of our sins: Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30
We must confess Christ before others: Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37
We must be immersed into Christ (baptized) Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38
We must be faithful: Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22
No comments:
Post a Comment