For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even the eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
Romans 1:20-22
As we have come to the time of year in which we celebrate thankfulness, it is important to look at some of the passages of scripture that talk about thankfulness. There is no shortage of verses telling us to be thankful and giving us reasons to be thankful. This passage tells us what can happen when we refuse to be thankful.
God is, in this passage, telling us about the “descent of mankind.” It can be viewed from the perspective of mankind in general or of any particular man who rejects God. It is the downward spiraling cycle that occurs when man continually rejects God. Man comes into the world with the understanding that there is a God. God is clearly seen in nature all around us. But, over time, man starts thinking of himself as a god, and rejects the true God.
One of the ways in which man starts rejecting God and placing himself in that position is unthankfulness: “when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain…” This vanity and losing sight of God comes, in part, from simply not being thankful. When we are not thankful for something, we tend to take that thing for granted. We tend to ignore it, assuming that it will always be there. Men have ignored God and have taken Him for granted. Thus starts a terrible slide that ends with God “giving them over” to their own lusts and sins.
A terrible fate comes with unthankfulness. Let us be thankful, both during this season and all year long!
Justified Freely 