Does Our Gratefulness Show?

Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God. Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. Acts 3:1-10

In the above passage, a lame man is healed in Jesus’ name. Through Christ’s power, the man was able to walk, and the man was joyful. He walked and leaped, praising God. The man was very grateful and from his joyous acts of gratefulness many were filled with “wonder and amazement”. This man was catching other people’s attention because of how thankful he was to be healed.

As Christians we, like the lame man, have been healed. We have received a greater gift than the ability to physically walk. Through Christ’s blood we have been cleansed and are able to walk with the Lord. We have been revived spiritually and brought back to God.

We ought to be very grateful for our healing. Do we show that gratefulness?

Those who saw the healed lame man, took notice of him. They recognized who he was and were amazed by what they saw. Does our gratefulness provoke the same response in those around us?

Our gratefulness should show in our actions and attitudes, causing those around us to notice that we are different from the world. They should recognize that we are living a different lifestyle, and wonder at what sets us apart.

With such an incredible and magnificent gift given to us we need to show our thankfulness and excitement. We should be vigorously following Christ; and our gratefulness should show.

                -- John Thrower Jr.