Bridges begins the chapter with the story of Jesus healing the 10 lepers and how only one leper returned to thank Him for his healing. Bridges states, "Christ's giving us spiritual life is a far greater miracle, and its benefits are infinitely greater than healing from leprosy. Yet how often do we give thanks for our salvation?"
Bridges points out from scripture that every breath we take and every material thing we have is a blessing from God and therefore our whole lives should be ones of continual thanksgiving. One of our "acceptable" sins is failing to continually give thanks to God.
In Romans 1:18-32, Paul explains how God allowed the people of that day to downwardly spiral in their morality and gave them up to their own natural inclinations "because they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him." The people became more and more morally perverse and this is evidenced in our day as well.
Paul also tells us in Thessalonians to give thanks in all circumstances, even those we don't necessarily feel thankful for. We need to thank God for the good He is working out in us, because God directs all circumstances for our good, even ones that don't feel comfortable to us. This means giving thanks with our hearts, not just our lips. Give thanks by faith in the promises of God.
Bridges suggests memorizing the following verses to help us in giving thanks to God:
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Ephesians 5:20
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
I Thess 5:18
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