Gratitude - Messed Up

There is a subtle difference between two lines of thinking. It is so subtle that many Christians have gotten caught up in this difference, albeit with very good intentions.

Check out these two different statements:

1. I want to glorify God out of a response of gratitude for what He has done for me.

2. I want to glorify God because that is who He has turned me into - one who wants to do this.

Do you see the difference?

The first statement, albeit very good intentions, is still very self-centered. It turns into, "Why am I not glorifying God? Why don't I have enough gratitude? I must not love Him enough." It still relies on a works based perception of the gospel.

The second statement has nothing to do with performance. It doesn't even talk about performance. It simply talks about where the desire comes from. It comes from God. The desire could be smaller than an electron, but it comes from God.

The first belief leads to a lifetime of frustration. Ironically, the second belief will ultimately lead to a life filled with gratitude for what He has done for us, the very thing belief #1 was trying to get at all along.