Ingratitude, the lack of thankfulness or appreciation, is a condition of the heart that is frequently addressed in the Bible. It is often seen as a failure to recognize the goodness and provision of God, as well as the kindness of others. Despite the prevalence of ingratitude, Scripture calls believers to respond with persevering love, reflecting the character of God Himself.

Biblical Examples of Ingratitude

The Bible provides numerous examples of ingratitude, particularly among the Israelites during their wilderness journey. Despite witnessing miraculous deliverance from Egypt and receiving daily sustenance, the Israelites frequently complained and expressed dissatisfaction. In Numbers 14:2, they lamented, "If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness!" This ingratitude was met with God's continued provision and guidance, demonstrating His enduring love and patience.

In the New Testament, Jesus encounters ingratitude in the account of the ten lepers. After healing them, only one returned to give thanks. Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?" (Luke 17:17). Despite the ingratitude of the nine, Jesus' love and compassion remained steadfast.

God's Persevering Love

God's response to human ingratitude is characterized by His persevering love. This love is patient and kind, as described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, which states, "Love is patient, love is kind... It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." God's love is not contingent upon human gratitude but is an expression of His unchanging nature.

The ultimate demonstration of God's persevering love is found in the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Romans 5:8 declares, "But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Despite humanity's ingratitude and sin, God's love persevered, offering redemption and reconciliation through Christ.

The Call to Persevering Love

Believers are called to emulate God's persevering love in their interactions with others, even in the face of ingratitude. Jesus taught in Matthew 5:44 , "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." This command extends to those who are ungrateful, challenging Christians to respond with love and grace.

The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in Colossians 3:12-14 , urging believers to "clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another... And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity." This passage highlights the importance of love as the foundation for all Christian virtues, enabling believers to endure ingratitude with grace.

Practical Application

In practical terms, responding to ingratitude with persevering love involves maintaining a posture of forgiveness and understanding. It requires a commitment to serve others selflessly, as Jesus did, without expecting anything in return. By doing so, believers reflect the heart of God and become conduits of His love in a world often marked by ingratitude.

Furthermore, Christians are encouraged to cultivate a spirit of thankfulness in their own lives, recognizing God's blessings and expressing gratitude in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 instructs, "Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." By embodying gratitude, believers can inspire others to do the same, fostering a community of love and appreciation.2 Corinthians 12:15
And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Called to Reach a Higher Standard
... He might display great liberality; but should he, from ... Paul met this heresy with
a very plain testimony ... in the church, meeting with ingratitude and betrayal ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 30 called to reach.htm

Grieving the Holy Spirit
... the way at all, and the Lord would not have met you, if ... reason why we should love
the Spirit and why we should not grieve ... Again, ingratitude tends to grieve him ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/grieving the holy spirit.htm

Letter v. Prayer and Fasting.
... humbling ourselves on account of our ingratitude; and lifting ... and all the hindrances
you have met in seeking ... and seek his grace, our minds should be heavenly. ...
/.../letter v prayer and fasting.htm

The Pattern of Service
... wonder at what we are pleased to think men's ingratitude. ... as affecting the form in
which we should present the ... to be contravened, that their wants may be met. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the pattern of service.htm

Fire! Fire! Fire!
... mercies, lest he be provoked by our ingratitude and take ... If the fires should burn
up your piety, it would ... I am speaking to some one who has met with opposition ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/fire fire fire.htm

C. The Last Stages. Chs. 17:11 to 19:28
... as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten ... It is always surprising to
find that ingratitude is so ... should be punished as that she should be given ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/c the last stages chs.htm

Every Thing Proceeding from the Corrupt Nature of Man Damnable.
... 3. Here, again we are met with a question very ... For we should always note the antithesis
between the ... Nay, by our own ingratitude, we obscure and impair divine ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 3 every thing proceeding.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... But if they should not, ask them yet again If formerly ... seek a world to come; That
they have met with hardships ... also of the next, who have Of love to pilgrimage ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm

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