Grace is God’s unmerited favor, and gratitude is the believer’s response to His gift of grace. This article explores the deep connection between God’s grace and gratitude, providing biblical insights and practical ways Christians can live a life marked by these two powerful virtues.
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Grace is the unmerited favor of God, extended to humanity despite our sinfulness. It is not something earned through good works or religious rituals. The gift of grace is freely given through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Grace is central to the Gospel message, emphasizing that salvation is entirely dependent on God's initiative and not on human effort.
Pastor Adrian Rogers, known for his biblical fidelity and eloquence, often described grace in deeply personal and theological terms. He once said,
“Grace is love that seeks you out when you have nothing to give in return. Grace is love coming at you that has nothing to do with you. Grace is being loved when you are unlovable.”
“Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little” (Luke 7:47).
When a sinner truly comprehends the depth of God's grace, the natural and heartfelt response is profound gratitude. This gratitude is not superficial or obligatory—it flows from a soul overwhelmed by the realization of being forgiven, loved, and accepted by a holy God despite utter unworthiness. It is the response of someone who recognizes she was spiritually dead and condemned, yet God, rich in mercy, reached down and gave new life through Christ. This kind of gratitude transforms a person’s outlook, inspiring worship, humility, and a desire to serve and obey not out of duty, but out of love.
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:1-2).
Pastor Adrian Rogers captured this beautifully when he said,
“When you see the grace of God, you will not want to sin more, you will want to sin less. Grace doesn't lead to license; it leads to love. And love leads to gratitude.”
Genuine thankfulness is inseparable from true salvation. The forgiven sinner cannot help but express gratitude—through prayer, through changed living, and through telling others about the One who saved him. This kind of thankfulness becomes the heartbeat of the Christian life, not driven by fear of judgment, but by joy in redemption. As Pastor Rogers often emphasized, grace leads to transformation, and transformation births thanksgiving.
Grace and Gratitude are essential for the Christian.
Grace not only saves us but also sustains us daily as believers. It is the power behind our sanctification and our ability to walk in obedience. Pastor Rogers stressed that grace does not excuse sin but rather empowers transformation, enabling Christians to live in the righteousness of Christ.
Thankfulness strengthens faith by continually turning the believer’s heart toward God’s past faithfulness, reinforcing trust in His future provision. We must learn to practice gratitude. When we intentionally remember and give thanks for what God has done—whether small daily mercies or life-altering acts of deliverance—we build a spiritual foundation of confidence in His character. Gratitude acts as a lens that shifts our focus from present problems to divine promises, enabling us to see God’s hand at work even in hardship. When we focus on Christ, Pastor Rogers said, we turn our tears into telescopes. God’s grace quiets anxiety and doubt, replacing them with a settled assurance that the God who provided before will do so again. In this way, gratitude for God’s grace becomes a discipline that deepens faith, reminding us not only of who God is, but of who we are in Him—secure, loved, and never forsaken.
Here are some ways Christians can live daily with grace and gratitude:
By consistently practicing these habits, believers can grow in living a life marked by grace and overflowing with gratitude.
No matter how long you’ve been a Christian, it’s time to embrace grace and gratitude as a lifestyle. We don’t merely receive grace and thank God for our salvation, we receive the Holy Spirit and live out our salvation with an attitude of gratitude. We don’t muster this attitude; it is the work of the Holy Spirit we’ve received!
If we mustered gratitude to God, we’d be working to earn His approval. Remember, grace is God’s unmerited favor.
The above “How To” list is a great place to start, and we should take initiative. That’s why our forefathers and mothers sang, “Count your blessings; name them one by one. Count your many blessings, see what God has done!” (Author: Johnson Oatman Jr., 1897). But the real work is done by the Holy Spirit within each believer—reminding of God’s love, the Gospel, bringing to mind the teachings of Jesus, and helping us keep that attitude of gratitude even during the most difficult situations.
Christian gratitude transcends circumstances. Here are some biblical examples of people God gave the grace to express gratitude even in trials.
Job stands as a profound example of submission to God the Father and gratitude in the face of unimaginable suffering. After losing his wealth, his children, and his health, Job did not curse God as Satan predicted. Instead, he fell to the ground in worship and said, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). Though Job wrestled with deep grief and confusion, he never abandoned his reverence for God. His declaration, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15), demonstrates a powerful faith rooted not in circumstances, but in the character and sovereignty of God. Job’s attitude shows that even in loss, a heart anchored in the knowledge of God’s goodness can respond with trust and humble submission.
Another vivid example is the Apostle Paul, who endured repeated persecution, imprisonment, and physical suffering for the sake of the Gospel. Despite his trials, Paul’s writings are filled with worship and thankfulness. In Philippians—written from a Roman prison—he exhorted believers to “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4) and expressed gratitude for God’s provision and the faithfulness of the churches. He taught that suffering produces perseverance and hope, and he viewed his hardships as opportunities to glorify Christ. In 2 Corinthians 12:9–10, Paul shares how, after pleading with God to remove a “thorn in the flesh,” he accepted God’s answer: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Paul’s response was not bitterness but joy: “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities... for when I am weak, then I am strong.” His example teaches that gratitude in trials is possible when our focus is on God’s grace and eternal purposes.
Hannah, the mother of Samuel, also exemplified submission and gratitude amid personal suffering. For years she endured the pain of barrenness and ridicule, pouring out her anguish before the Lord in prayer. Instead of turning away from God in disappointment, she turned toward Him in trust, vowing to dedicate her child to His service if He granted her request. When God answered her prayer and gave her a son, Hannah fulfilled her vow with joy, bringing Samuel to the temple and offering a prayer filled with worship and thanksgiving: “My heart rejoices in the Lord… There is none holy like the Lord” (1 Samuel 2:1–2). Her response shows that even when blessings follow trials, true gratitude leads to deeper surrender and praise, not self-centered celebration. Hannah's story reminds us that heartfelt worship often flows from hearts that have been refined by waiting and trusting in God.
Let’s look at two New Testament examples of gratitude that cause us to look heavenward always, even when we are suffering.
Mary of Bethany offers a beautiful picture of worshipful gratitude expressed in the midst of emotional suffering. Just days before Jesus' crucifixion, knowing He would soon die, Mary brought a costly alabaster jar of perfume and anointed His feet, wiping them with her hair (John 12:1–8). Her act was more than generous—it was sacrificial, as the perfume was worth a year’s wages. In this deeply personal expression, Mary poured out her love, grief, and gratitude all at once. Though her heart was breaking at the thought of losing Jesus, her sorrow did not prevent her from honoring Him; rather, it propelled her to do so with great devotion. Her selfless act foreshadowed His burial and displayed a heart fully surrendered, cherishing the Savior not for what He would do for her, but simply for who He was.
Stephen, the first Christian martyr, exemplified profound gratitude for God's grace even in the face of violent death. As he was being stoned for boldly proclaiming the Gospel, Stephen lifted his eyes to heaven and declared, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:56). His final words echoed Jesus Himself: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60). Stephen’s heart was so saturated with grace and gratitude that, even under assault, he desired eternal life not only for himself but for his executioners. Like Mary of Bethany, who poured out costly perfume in loving worship of a Savior she knew was heading to the cross, Stephen saw beyond the immediate suffering of earthly life. Both Mary and Stephen lived with an eternal perspective—their gratitude was not for fleeting blessings, but for the hope of everlasting life. Their sacrificial acts were rooted in a deep love for Jesus and a clear vision of Heaven, showing us that when our eyes are fixed on eternity, we can respond to sorrow with worship and even to death with grace.
Finally, as beautiful and transformational as grace and gratitude are for believers, this beauty is magnified and multiplied when we extend grace to others. When we catch ourselves before reacting to others harshly, when we go out of our way to quietly and humbly minister to others in the name of Jesus, when we offer forgiveness that costs us, we can be sure God’s math is at work. As Pastor Adrian Rogers so eloquently put it:
“You never know the ripple that will touch the shore of eternity when you drop that stone of grace into somebody's heart.”
