Topics: Division; Gratitude; Joy; Love; Thanksgiving
References: Psalm 16:11; 100:4; Colossians 3:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; 1 Peter 1:8
I believe that the real difference in the American church is not between conservatives and liberals, fundamentalists and charismatics, or Republicans and Democrats. The real difference is between the aware and the unaware.
When somebody is aware of the love that the Father has for Jesus, that person is spontaneously grateful. Cries of thankfulness become the dominant characteristic of the interior life, and the byproduct of gratitude is joy. We’re not joyful and then become grateful—we’re grateful, and that makes us joyful.
—Brennan Manning, in “The Dick Staub Interview: Brennan Manning on Ruthless Trust,” ChristianityToday.com (December 1, 2002)