Discover His heart: His gift of love compels us to share it with others
Several years ago I saw a touching movie about a young boy who started a campaign to encourage everyone to pay forward the kindnesses that others had shown them. He alleged that in doing so, the world would be a better place and people’s lives would be changed for the good. I agree! I can’t help but feel indebted to those in my life who have shown kindness to me without any desire for payment and believe me, I am indebted to countless wonderful individuals.
I remember being given a car many years ago by a very dear couple, and this kindness changed everything for us. Since that time, we have had the opportunity to pay forward that great kindness on two occasions, and nothing has thrilled us more. But I have one debt that, frankly, I will never be able to pay, but I’m going to keep on plugging along at it until Jesus comes.
@ Romans 13
“Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.” (8) Accepting God’s wonderful gift of love through salvation has forever indebted us to Him, and since His love is continual, we are obligated to continually extend our love to one another. When we truly have experienced His love, this is not a negative obligation, but we are compelled by His sheer love and goodness to pay it forward.
“For the commandments say, ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.’ These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” (9) Paul said it here and in Galatians 5:14; and Jesus said it in Matthew 22:39, so I’m assuming it is acceptable for us to love ourselves.
I’ve known some people who are in love with themselves. They think about themselves all the time, lavish themselves with gifts and praise, and it’s obvious that there is a love affair going on. This isn’t the self-love that Paul was talking about. If we didn’t love ourselves, we wouldn’t care for our needs by eating properly, clothing ourselves and providing a roof over our heads. So with this obligation to love others, we naturally should be concerned that others have food, clothing and shelter. It almost sounds like some sort of compassionate welfare program where no taxes are required to pay for it, just love. Sign me up!
All the commandments are summed up in this commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves. We wouldn’t steal from ourselves, covet or tell lies about ourselves because we love and care too much about our own welfare, and so it is when we love others. However, love for others such as this is impossible without God’s help. “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:5 NKJV) We don’t have to drum up this love for others on our own because the Holy Spirit equips us to love and to pay His love forward.
Compelled by God’s love and goodness and equipped by His Holy Spirit, we will obey the great commandment to “Love our neighbors as ourselves.” But we need to understand that this is one debt where we will always have an outstanding balance because we just can’t outgive God, and we will always be indebted to Him. It’s just the way it is.
Moving Forward: I’m planning to pay some on my debt today, as much as He enables me, because I’m compelled and equipped by His great love.
Tomorrow @ Genesis 24-27
Phyllis Benigas 