The apostle Paul is known for making lists. In Galatians 5:19-21 he lists the “works of the flesh”, in verses 22-23 he lists the “fruit of the Spirit”. In Ephesians 1:3-14 Paul lists the ways that redemption is “in” Christ. In Ephesians 4:4-6 Paul lists the seven “ones” of Christianity. There are several other lists that Paul makes in the New Testament, but there are two that I think are of particular interest due to similarities between the two, as well as some things that might be thought of as odd or out of place. In Romans chapter one Paul is pointing out the depravity of the Gentiles. In verse 21 Paul says, “because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” Beginning in verse 29 he continues with his list of bad character traits, “being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful…” In 2 Timothy 3:1-4 there is a similar though shorter list. “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” The things that I find of particular interest in these two lists is the inclusion of “unthankful” and “disobedient to parents”. Some people might think that these two faults hardly deserve to be included with the others. However, a good argument can be made that these two faults are the ones that give rise to all the rest. If a child will not recognize and respect the authority of his parents, then he will not recognize or respect any other authority. The law of Moses considered this problem so serious that the rebellious child was to be stoned to death (Deuteronomy 21:18-21). Someone once said that gratitude was the mother of all virtue. A person who does not feel gratitude will feel entitled instead. They will believe that everything is theirs by right, they deserve it; and if they don’t have something they believe they are entitled to, it will cause them to envy and hate others. Being unthankful and disobedient to parents causes many of life’s problems, better for us to “...let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15).