Signs Of The Times No. III.
Ingratitude
As we look about us it is impossible to ignore the signs of ingratitude. Man accepts the bountiful blessings of God Almighty and shows little or no gratitude unto God for all that He has done for mankind. Material blessings fall upon the ''just and the unjust" alike. In fact, the evil or "unjust", in most cases, possess more material blessings than the righteous. This is true because they are unscrupulous. They can lie and take advantage of others in their dealings because they are NOT guided by any rules of what is just, fair, and right. Such people are to be pitied. They had better enjoy these blessings as best they can in this life because they will have an eternity of suffering as a result of an unrighteous life here on earth. Jesus said, "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matt. 16:26) The man of the world is selling his "birthright" for what little enjoyment he may get out of THIS life. But when the pleasures of this life are over he has lost all. It is beyond understanding how one can accept all the blessings of God and never show any gratitude unto God.
However, I am not writing about ingratitude manifested on the part of the people of the world; but I am terribly concerned about ingratitude shown by those in the church. In addition to all material blessings, they have been redeemed by the blood of Christ; forgiven of past sins. (Col. 1:13-14) They have "all spiritual blessings". (Eph. 1:3)
I could take up the rest of the space in this article naming the blessings enjoyed by those "in Christ". Certainly those who have been healed from the malady of sin should show gratitude unto God. Yet, it is most depressing and discouraging to witness ingratitude in so many of God's children. I can think of nothing that is more un-Christlike than ingratitude.
As I view this ingratitude in members of the church, I am reminded of an incident in the life of Christ. You will find it recorded in Luke 17:11-19. Jesus met ten men who were lepers. This was a terrible disease. It was incurable by man. Those unfortunates who had leprosy were isolated from society. They had to be separated from friends and loved ones. These ten men cried out for Jesus to have mercy on them. Jesus told them to "Go show yourselves unto the priests". (Even one miraculously healed of leprosy had to have permission from the priests to be reinstated into society.) As these men went to the priests they were healed. I can imagine the happiness and joy among them as they contemplated their reunion with friends and families. I can also visualize their mad rush to the priests in order that they might hasten this reunion. They thought only of their OWN desires and joys. Never did they think of the One who had healed them. That is -- all but one. One of the men, a Samaritan, went back and fell at the feet of Jesus and gave thanks to him. Jesus asked, "Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?" (Verse 17) None of the others returned to give God glory for what had happened. I'm sure that this Samaritan wanted to return to his loved ones as much as any of the other nine, yet, he showed his gratitude by glorifying God.
The situation is about the same today. People, by the thousands, are healed from the terrible disease of sin by Jesus Christ. This is wrought by their obeying the gospel. (Rom. 6:17-18) Having believed that Christ is the Son of God, and repented and baptized for remission of sins (Acts 2:38) they are "in Christ" (Gal. 3:26-27) and are "new creatures". (II Cor. 5:17) Yet, instead of their glorifying God by a faithful life of obedience to His word, they rush madly about seeking to gratify their own desires. They give very little or no time to their benefactor.
This is evidenced by the way members live and act. If all is convenient and they feel just right they will attend Sunday morning services. In many cases no love for the truth is manifested because they never come to read and study God's word in the classes. Many would not think of breaking into their pleasures by attending Sunday evening service. Of course, to attend a "mid-week" service in which God is glorified by singing praises, prayer and a study of His word is absurd to the ingrate. The very idea of attending services EVERY night for a week during a gospel meeting is just ridiculous to those who are ungrateful for all that God has done. Do you think I am overdrawing the picture? Then you should take note of all the "exhorting" done in churches to get SOME to attend the services. You should read the bulletins put out by the churches. (I receive about fifty a week.) These bulletins are filled with pleas to members to attend the services. Why is this true? Because of all that God has done for me. The very least I can doffs seek to please God.
Do you think it pleases God when you absent yourself from the assemblies of the church? If you do, then it would please God if every member should be absent. Therefore, you would have to say that it would please God for the church to close down all assemblies you miss. Some denominations have already cut out the Sunday evening service during the "school vacation". Even some so-called churches of Christ have as many as "five services on Sunday" to make it convenient for members to attend. One such church advertised in her bulletin that the men could attend the "early service" and still get out for the ten o'clock round of golf. Such services are not to glorify God but to make possible the attendance of those who would not give up their own pleasures to glorify God. I suspect we will all see more of this "every hour, on the hour" Sunday services in the digressive churches.
If one is grateful to God for all that God has done for him, he will arrange to glorify God with his time, talents and money. There is so much work to be done; so much money needed in the salvation of souls that none of us should allow ingratitude to cause us to withhold that which God needs. When there is a work to be done, an assembly to be attended, money needed, and some members do not work, attend or give: the same question Jesus asked would be in order. "Where are the nine?"
We may determine whether we would have been like the Samaritan who glorified God or like the nine who failed to give thanks by the way we act today. Let us all examine ourselves and see if we are among the "nine."