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Expressing Authentic Gratitude for Christ's Character and Example

Authentic gratitude for Christ's character and example is expressed through thanksgiving and praise directed to God, often through Christ, and manifested in a life that seeks to emulate His perfect example [1, 2]. The New Testament frequently emphasizes the importance of giving thanks to God through Jesus Christ [1, 3]. This gratitude is not merely an emotional response but a conscious act of worship and a foundational aspect of Christian living.

Christ Himself set an example of thanksgiving, as seen in instances such as His prayer before feeding the five thousand (John 6:11) and His prayer in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:27) [1]. The heavenly host also engages in thanksgiving and praise to God and Christ (Revelation 4:9, 7:11-12, 11:16-17) [1, 2]. Believers are commanded to offer thanksgiving in all circumstances (Philippians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:18) [1]. This includes private worship (Daniel 6:10), public worship (Psalm 35:18), and even before meals (John 6:11; Acts 27:35) [1].

The character of Christ provides a perfect example for believers [6]. His example is described as perfect (Hebrews 7:26) and encompasses various virtues:

The preciousness of Christ to believers stems from His goodness, beauty, excellence, grace, and His atoning work (1 Peter 1:19; Hebrews 12:24) [9]. He is the source of all grace (John 1:14; Colossians 1:19) and the cornerstone of the Church (Isaiah 28:16; 1 Peter 2:6) [9].

Expressing authentic gratitude for Christ's character and example involves not only verbal praise and thanksgiving but also a commitment to living out His example. This includes "doing good and to communicate," which are seen as continual sacrifices that spring from a sense of God's love in Christ Jesus [12]. These acts of kindness and charity towards others, alongside praise, prayer, and thanksgiving to God, are considered acceptable sacrifices from genuine followers of Christ [12]. The apostle Paul, for instance, expressed thanks to God through Jesus Christ for the faith of the Roman believers, which was proclaimed throughout the world (Romans 1:8) [3, 11]. He also gloried through Jesus Christ in the things pertaining to God (Romans 15:17) [5]. The liberality of the Gentile churches in ministering to the poor saints in Jerusalem led to the glorification of God, as it was seen as a proof of their professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ [10]. This "unspeakable gift" of God, whether referring to His goodness, grace, or Christ Himself, elicits profound gratitude [13].

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Thanksgiving — Christ set an example of -- Mt 11:25; 26:27; Joh 6:11; 11:41. The heavenly host engaged in -- Re 4:9; 7:11,12; 11:16,17. Commanded -- Ps 50:14; Php 4:6. Is a good thing -- Ps 92:1. Should be offered To God. -- Ps 50:14. To Christ. -- 1Ti 1:12. Through Christ. -- Ro 1:8; Col 3:17; Heb 13:15. In the name of Christ. -- Eph 5:20. In behalf of ministers. -- 2Co 1:11. In private worship. -- Da 6:10. In public worship. -- Ps 35:18. In everything. -- 1Th 5:18. Upon the completion of great undertakings. -- Ne 12:31,40. Before taking food. -- Joh 6:11; Ac 27:35.”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Praise — God is worthy of -- 2Sa 22:4. Christ is worthy of -- Re 5:12. God is glorified by -- Ps 22:23; 50:23. Offered to Christ -- Joh 12:13. Acceptable through Christ -- Heb 13:15. Is due to God on account of His majesty. -- Ps 96:1,6; Isa 24:14. His glory. -- Ps 138:5; Eze 3:12. His excellency. -- Ex 15:7; Ps 148:13. His greatness. -- 1Ch 16:25; Ps 145:3. His holiness. -- Ex 15:11; Isa 6:3. His wisdom. -- Da 2:20; Jude 1:25. His power. -- Ps 21:13. His goodness. -- Ps 107:8; 118:1; 136:1; Jer 33:11. His mercy. -- 2Ch 20:21; Ps 89:1; 118:1-4; 136:1-26. His loving-k”
  3. Romans “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, that your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world. -- Romans 1:8”
  4. 1 Timothy “1 Timothy 1:16 (NASB) — Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.”
  5. Romans “Romans 15:17 (KJV) — I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Example of Christ, The — Is perfect -- Heb 7:26. Conformity to, required in Holiness. -- 1Pe 1:15,16; Ro 1:6. Righteousness. -- 1Jo 2:6. Purity. -- 1Jo 3:3. Love. -- Joh 13:34; Eph 5:2; 1Jo 3:16. Humility. -- Lu 22:27; Php 2:5,7. Meekness. -- Mt 11:29. Obedience. -- Joh 15:10. Self-denial. -- Mt 16:24; Ro 15:3. Ministering to others. -- Mt 20:28; Joh 13:14,15. Benevolence. -- Ac 20:35; 2Co 8:7,9. Forgiving injuries. -- Col 3:13. Overcoming the world. -- Joh 16:33; 1Jo 5:4. Being not of the world. -- Joh 17:16. Being guileless. -- 1Pe 2:21-22. Suffering wrongfully. --”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sincerity — Christ was an example of -- 1Pe 2:22. Ministers should be examples of -- Tit 2:7. Opposed to fleshly wisdom -- 2Co 1:12. Should characterise Our love to God. -- 2Co 8:8,24. Our love to Christ. -- Eph 6:24. Our service to God. -- Jos 24:14; Joh 4:23,24. Our faith. -- 1Ti 1:5. Our love to one another. -- Ro 12:9; 1Pe 1:22; 1Jo 3:18. Our whole conduct. -- 2Co 1:12. The preaching of the gospel. -- 2Co 2:17; 1Th 2:3-5. A characteristic of the doctrines of the gospel -- 1Pe 2:2. The gospel sometimes preached without -- Php 1:16. The wicked devoid of -- Ps 5:9; ”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility — Necessary to the service of God -- Mic 6:8. Christ an example of -- Mt 11:29; Joh 13:14,15; Php 2:5-8. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 34:2. The who have Regarded by God. -- Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2. Heard by God. -- Ps 9:12; Isa 10:17. Enjoy the presence of God. -- Isa 57:15. Delivered by God. -- Job 22:29. Lifted up by God. -- Jas 4:10. Exalted by God. -- Lu 14:11; 18:14. Are greatest in Christ's kingdom. -- Mt 18:4; 20:26-28. Receive more grace. -- Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Upheld by honour. -- Pr 18:12; 29:23. Is before honour -- Pr 15:33. Leads to riches, honour, ”
  9. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Preciousness of Christ — To God -- Mt 3:17; 1Pe 2:4. To Saints -- Song 5:10; Php 3:8; 1Pe 2:7. On account of his Goodness and beauty. -- Zec 9:17. Excellence and grace. -- Ps 45:2. Name. -- Song 1:3; Heb 1:4. Atonement. -- 1Pe 1:19; Heb 12:24. Words. -- Joh 6:68. Promises. -- 2Pe 1:4. Care and tenderness. -- Isa 40:11. As the corner-stone of the Church -- Isa 28:16; 1Pe 2:6. As the source of all grace -- Joh 1:14; Col 1:19. Unsearchable -- Eph 3:8. Illustrated -- Song 2:3; 5:10-16; Mt 13:44-46.”
  10. 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 9:13: Whiles by the experiment of this ministration,.... That is, the poor saints at Jerusalem having a specimen, a proof, an experience of the liberality of the Gentile churches ministered to them by the apostles, first, they glorify God; by giving thanks unto him, acknowledging him to be the author of all the grace and goodness which they, and others, were partakers of; particularly for your professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ. The Gospel of Christ is the doctrine of grace, life, and salvation by Christ, of which he is the author, as God, the subject m”
  11. Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 1:8: First, I thank my God, through Jesus Christ, for you all,.... After the inscription and salutation, follows a thanksgiving, which begins the epistle: it is usual with the apostle in all his epistles to make requests for the churches, with thanksgivings for mercies; his view in it was, to glorify God, to testify his affection to the saints, and to show that all they had must be referred to the grace of God. The object of thanksgiving is God not merely as a creator and preserver, but as a Father, the Father of Christ, and our Father in Christ; as the one God, and our God”
  12. Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 13:16: But to do good and to communicate - These are continual sacrifices which God requires, and which will spring from a sense of God's love in Christ Jesus. Praise to God for his unspeakable gift, and acts of kindness to men for God's sake. No reliance, even on the infinitely meritorious sacrifice of Christ, can be acceptable in the sight of God if a man have not love and charity towards his neighbor. Praise, prayer, and thanksgiving to God, with works of charity and mercy to man, are the sacrifices which every genuine follower of Christ must offer: and they are the p”
  13. 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 9:15: Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. Meaning either the goodness of God, both to the giver and receiver; for that the one gave so liberally, and the other received so largely, was from the grace of God, who so powerfully inclines the hearts of his children to do good, and offer so willingly of what he has given them, and who so wonderfully provides for the supply of the poor and needy; or else that exceeding grace of God which was so eminently, largely, and freely bestowed on the Corinthians in their effectual calling; or, as some think, Christ himself,”
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