The Impact of Gratitude: How Common and Saving Grace Can Change Your Perspective

Genesis 8:22 - “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.”

Carl Moon 1879-1948 Corn Harvest at Santo Domingo

After the flood of Noah, the above scripture, Genesis 8:22, was an assurance to mankind that God would never do that again.

In fact, in Genesis 9:13-15 God promises, “I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.”

But, He goes even further, in Psalm 145:9, He claims, “The LORD is good to all, and His mercy is over all that He has made.”

What is this mercy over all He has made? The Bible explains that this is His “common grace.” Most understand that “grace” means “undeserved favor.” In other words, goodness and benefits that we do nothing to deserve. It includes various blessings, provisions, and gifts that are available to everyone on earth, such as life, health, knowledge, societal order, beauty, and talent. Common grace demonstrates God’s goodness in caring for His creation.

We can refer to a few verses explaining this mercy and goodness available to everyone. Acts 14:17 states, “Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” Additionally, Matthew 5:45 claims, “...For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and the unjust.”

Yet, there is another type of grace known as “saving grace.”

This is the grace that is specifically applied to an individual’s salvation. Its similarities with common grace are that it, too, is available to everyone and that it is unmerited.

It is equally unmerited in that it is not works that earn saving grace, but belief in the provider of saving grace, Christ Jesus. Saving grace is only experienced by those who place their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and are redeemed, reconciled to God, and granted eternal life.

Many, unfortunately, will refuse it.

We can likewise refer to a few verses explaining this specific mercy and goodness available to all. Ephesians 2:8-9 claims, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Additionally, Ephesians 1:7-8 promises, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight.”

As is the season, thankfulness should be a natural response to common and saving grace.

When individuals recognize and understand the grace of God in their lives, they should be filled with gratitude and express it through thanksgiving. These blessings include good health, talents, beauty, relationships, and more, all expressions of God’s common grace that should lead us to be thankful and give glory to Him.

In the context of saving grace, believers should be deeply grateful for God’s unmerited favor in saving them from sin and granting them eternal life through Jesus Christ. This gratitude stems from the understanding that salvation is an entirely undeserved gift obtained by faith alone in Christ alone. Believers should express their appreciation through worship, praise, obedience to God’s Word, and a life that reflects the transformational power of God’s saving grace. Expressing thanks aligns our hearts with God’s purposes and enables us to glorify and honor Him in all aspects of life.

Unfortunately, many are not only thankless for common grace but absolutely refuse saving grace. However, God has a caveat with the extent of His grace. Even with common grace, Genesis 8:22 begins, “While the earth remains...” And that’s the caveat. God’s grace doesn't last forever. In Hebrews 4:7, He states, “...He appoints a certain day, saying ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.’”

Dear friend do not put off your “today.”

Happy Thanksgiving!