This week, I started a deep dive into the book of Romans and every verse is full of powerful insight. One that stuck out to me is Romans 1:21 where Paul says: “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.”
In this verse, Paul confronts the reality that knowing God is not enough. The people he’s referring to recognized God but failed to glorify Him or give thanks, leading to futile thinking and darkened hearts. This is a sobering reminder for us to examine our own lives. Are we glorifying God in all that we do? Are we consistently giving thanks to Him, no matter the circumstances?
Glorifying God means to honor and magnify Him in our actions, words, and thoughts. It’s about living in a way that reflects His greatness and goodness. Some of you might remember the old movie Chariots of Fire. It was a true story about a man named Eric Liddell. He became an Olympic gold medalist, but he refused to run on Sundays and—in this way—honored God. This is because Sundays were his Sabbath—his day of rest and worship. Remembering the Sabbath and keeping it holy is the 4th of the Ten Commandments. His commitment to prioritize God’s laws over worldly achievements is a powerful example to all of us.
I think it’s important for all of us to reflect on our own lives—do our actions and decisions reflect a desire to honor God? Whether we’re working, studying, interacting with others, or even relaxing, we should be mindful of how these activities glorify God.
In the same way, we’re called to give thanks in all circumstances, as instructed in 1 Thessalonians 5:18. Gratitude is a powerful expression of our faith. Corrie ten Boom was a Holocaust survivor who, despite her horrible circumstances, found reasons to be thankful. She and her sister Betsie thanked God for the fleas in their barracks, later discovering that the fleas kept guards away, allowing them to hold Bible studies. This amazing story speaks to the power of gratitude, even—or maybe especially—in suffering. And it demonstrates a deep trust in God’s sovereignty.
Are we giving God thanks? Are we showing Him gratitude? There are simple but meaningful ways we can incorporate thankfulness and gratitude into our lives. A simple prayer of thanks at the beginning or ending of our day, starting a prayer journal or making it a priority to regularly express appreciation for who God is and all that He’s done to those around you. These actions, though simple, help us notice all that we have to be thankful for and cultivate a way of living that glorifies God and expresses genuine thankfulness.
It’s easy to go through the motions and fall into the habit of knowing who God is, without genuinely honoring Him or being grateful. And as Paul points out, this can significantly affect our hearts. My prayer is that we strive to live lives that consistently glorify God and overflow with thankfulness, fulfilling our calling and shining His light in a world that so desperately needs it.
thesimplemindedpastor.com 