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Are we Thankful?

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 8, 1871

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 38, No. 8.

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Are we Thankful?

By Isadore Green

It seems that of all people we ought to be the most thankful for the light of present truth, and, to show our gratitude by a faithful performance of the obligations it daily imposes upon us, when we realize from what powerful and demoniac delusions it keeps us, and what a glorious salvation we are to receive as the result of obedience, when it is said, “Well done—enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” The joy of which we, with our weak and degenerated capacities, are unable to conceive; the realization will prove us to have been as incompetent to grasp them as is the artist, who vainly attempts to paint the sunbeams, or the varied hues of the rainbow, who must, of necessity, drop his pencil, despairing of ever competing with the wise Being who gave existence to these beautiful things.
It is characteristic of our fallen nature to lack appreciation both in spiritual and temporal blessings—especially the former. We lose sight of the Giver in the gift, and approbate self in its reception.
Selfishness seems to be the dominant power, and one of the blighting evils, as well as one of the noticeable features of the last days. “For men shall be lovers of their own selves,” and then a long list of sins are enumerated in its connection; unthankful and unholy, which is but the result of an over-estimate of self. Our hearts are made sad by the ingratitude of friends, but are our feelings comparable with those of the all-interested family in Heaven, for our salvation? the Father who gave his Son? the Son who gave his life as a forfeit, “for ye are bought with a price”? and the angels who work disinterestedly “until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory,” who bear their part in this noble, and godlike sacrifice? Let us be faithful, seek not to emulate self, but be “hid with Christ in God,” that we may be crowned thus at his appearing.
ISADORE GREEN.
Sackett’s Harbor, N. Y.