Sometimes Saying Thank You Is Not Enough By Thomas Waters
Are there times and/or circumstances when saying “Thank You” is not enough?
A soldier saves fellow soldiers and is severely wounded for his bravery. Is the award of some medals enough? Should he not also receive good health care? A disadvantaged child is helped by teachers, mentors and civic clubs. Should she not give back to her community and society?
In Luke 17:11-19 is a record of ten lepers who were healed by Christ who seems angered by the insolence and ingratitude of nine lepers who did not even say, “Thank you!” But would saying “Thank You” be enough for such a great healing?
There are times when saying “Thank You” is not enough. If you suffered from a terminal disease and a doctor discovers the remedy and saves your life should you not pay that doctor for his services? And if that doctor called and said, “I need some help” how would you respond?
The recent Eboli outbreak reminds one of prior plagues. In the Late Middle Ages (1340–1400) one-third of the population of Europe was killed by bubonic plague. In 1665, London was a city of about 400,000 when an outbreak of the Plague hit killing one-fourth of the city’s inhabitants. In 1669, the English Puritan Ralph Venning published a book entitled “Sin, the Plague of Plague.” Venning writes, “Sin is worse than any evil affliction . . . Sin is worse than death . . . Better die in a hospital or a ditch than in sin . . . Sin is worse than the Devil . . . Sin can do, without the Devil, that which the Devil cannot do without sin, and that is, undo men . . . Sin is worse than Hell. Hell is only a punishment, but sin is a crime.”
Believers in Christ are saved from something far worse than leprosy, cancer, Eboli or bubonic plague. They are saved from sin! Matthew 1:21 - She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 1 Timothy 1:15 - The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”
Now I ask, “Is saying “Thank You” enough?
Andraé Crouch wrote,
“How can I say thanks for the things you have done for me? Things so undeserved, yet you give to prove your love for me. The voices of a million angels, cannot express my gratitude. All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe it all to Thee!”
No, simply saying “Thank You” to Christ for saving you is not enough! The only proper response to salvation is to repent of your sins, confess Christ and follow Him in discipleship.
So I ask you, What has God done for you? Why has God saved you? What are you doing in Christ’s name? I encourage you, offer yourself to the Lord saying, “Here am I Lord - use me - send me”
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