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The Connection between Faith and Gratitude – Viral Believer
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The Connection between Faith and Gratitude

Introduction

Faith and gratitude are two universal values that are present in almost every culture and religion in the world. As Evangelical Christians, we believe that faith and gratitude are closely intertwined, and that our faith in God is the foundation of our gratitude towards Him. In this blog post, we will explore the connection between faith and gratitude, and how this connection can transform our lives as Christians.

The Bible teaches that our faith in God should produce an attitude of gratitude in us, regardless of our circumstances. This gratitude is not based on our merit, but on God’s undeserved love and mercy towards us. As we cultivate this gratitude, it strengthens our faith and enables us to trust God more deeply.

This blog post will delve into biblical examples and teachings that illustrate how faith and gratitude are intertwined. We will explore the role of gratitude as the fruit of faith and a powerful weapon against the enemy’s attacks on our faith. In doing so, we hope to encourage all believers to deepen their faith and cultivate a grateful heart towards God.

faith in the Bible

Faith as the Foundation of Gratitude

The Bible teaches that faith is the foundation of gratitude. Hebrews 11:1 states, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” When we have faith in God, we are confident that He is working everything together for our good, even if we can’t see it yet. This trust in God’s sovereignty enables us to be grateful in all circumstances, as 1 Thessalonians 5:18 instructs us, “In everything, give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

In Psalm 100, the psalmist instructs us to “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name” (verse 4). This gratitude is rooted in our faith in God’s goodness, mercy, and love, as the psalmist affirms, “For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations” (verse 5).

Gratitude as the Fruit of Faith

Just as faith is the foundation of gratitude, gratitude is the fruit of faith. When we have faith in God, we are filled with joy and thankfulness, which spills over into our words and actions. In Colossians 2:6-7, Paul encourages us to “As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.”

As we walk in faith, we become rooted and established in Christ, and we naturally overflow with thanksgiving. This gratitude is not based on our circumstances, but on our unshakable faith in God’s promises. Paul exemplifies this attitude in Philippians 4:11-13, where he declares, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Gratitude as a Weapon of Faith

Finally, gratitude is a powerful weapon of faith. When we choose to give thanks to God in the midst of trials, we declare our trust in His goodness and power, and we disarm the enemy’s attacks on our faith. As Psalm 34:1-3 proclaims, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.”

When we magnify the Lord with our gratitude, we shift our focus from our problems to God’s solutions, and from our weaknesses to God’s strength. In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat faced a formidable enemy, but he chose to lead his people in praising God, rather than focusing on their fear. As they praised God, God fought for them and supernaturally defeated their enemies.

In the same way, when we choose to praise God in faith and gratitude, God fights for us, and we can overcome any obstacle. As Romans 8:31 reminds us, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Conclusion

Faith and gratitude are inseparable in our Christian walk. When we have faith in God, we are filled with gratitude, and when we cultivate gratitude, our faith is strengthened. As we face the challenges of life, may we remember the words of Hebrews 12:28-29, “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.”

Let us choose to live a life of faith and gratitude, rooted and built up in Christ, abounding in thanksgiving, and magnifying the Lord in all circumstances. As we do so, may our lives bear witness to the goodness, mercy, and love of our gracious God.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.