What Are You Thankful For?

As we turn our calendars to November, many people make lists of things they’re thankful for. Do you have a list? I usually think of my faith, my family, and my friends, and I’m grateful for our home, food, running water, electricity, and a phone. I also thank God for Audrey Raffa. She was my neighbor when I was five, and she led me to the Lord in her Good News Club. She explained the gospel in a simple way I could understand. I realized that Jesus died for my sins, and I received Him as my Savior. I’m eternally grateful to know Christ.

Charles Spurgeon said, “A child of five, if properly instructed, can as readily receive the gospel as an adult.”

The apostle Paul wrote, “And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make these wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” II Timothy 3:15 KJV

The Lord Jesus said, “Allow the children to come to Me, and do not forbid them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Luke 18:16 NASB

My understanding of the Bible has grown since I was five, but I’m thankful that even as a child, I understood enough to receive God’s gift of salvation. I’m grateful that we don’t have to earn salvation.

The Bible says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8 &9 KJV

I’m also thankful that when we’re born again through faith in Christ, we become God’s children, and nobody can take us out of God’s hands. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” John 1:12 KJV

We can’t be good enough to earn salvation, and if we’re truly born again, we can’t be bad enough to lose it. Consider what Jesus said. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:27-29 KJV

After we’re saved, God wants us to do good works. The Bible says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 KJV

Sadly, some people think this means that we must do good works to be saved, but that’s not what it means. After salvation, God expects us to do good works to be a blessing to others and to glorify God.

I’m thankful for the scriptures God gave us. God’s Word says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” II Timothy 3:16-17 KJV

The words “inspiration of God” mean that the Bible is God-breathed. God’s Word is powerful, and the verses in the Bible teach us what’s right, what’s wrong, how to get right, and how to stay right.

I’m also thankful that not only are we saved from God’s eternal punishment for sin, but we’re also saved from the power of sin in our lives. One day we’ll even be saved from the presence of sin. Being saved from the punishment for sin is justification. We’re justified when we’re born again by receiving Christ. We’re saved from the power of sin as we depend on the Word of God and the Holy Spirit to help us grow in our Christian walk. As we grow spiritually, we can make faith choices instead of fleshly choices. When we make faith choices, we have victory over sin. This step of spiritual growth is sanctification. We’re saved from the presence of sin when we leave these earthly bodies and receive our new glorified bodies. Then we can go to live with God for eternity. This is glorification.

I’m also grateful for the Blessed Hope we have in Christ. As we study Bible prophecy, we know that the Lord promised to return and take believers to be with Him before the Great Tribulation. This glorious appearing of Christ in the clouds to take those who have received Him as Savior to be with Him is the Rapture. We may have some tribulation and persecution before the Rapture, but the Lord will remove Christians from the earth before the Great Tribulation.

We see the promise of the Rapture in the following verses. “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” I Thessalonians 4:16-18 KJV

We don’t know when the Rapture will occur, but it could be any day. Have you received Jesus as your Savior? If you have, be grateful for your salvation. If you haven’t, you can be saved today. Do you believe you’re a sinner? Do you believe Jesus died for your sins and came back to life? Are you willing to repent and receive Christ as your Savior?

The Bible says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” Romans 10:9-11 KJV