How Can I Help?
Think about the last time someone was kind to you. Kindness is one of the most powerful forces on earth, and serving other people can transform someone’s life for good.
All of us have the ability to do good for someone, and God has gifted each of us with special abilities and talents that can be used to serve other people in our lives. Whether it’s a spiritual gift or a learned skill, you have unique opportunities to show kindness to those in need.
Paul, the writer of the letter to the Galatians, is careful to note that we won’t always have the opportunity to do good for others. We cannot know how many days we have left on earth, and we certainly don’t know how long certain people will be in our lives. That’s why we should make sure we use every opportunity we have to encourage and help others.
Serving and helping others is a form of love. When we take the time to help someone, we are allowing them to experience the love of Jesus through us. Doing good for someone opens the door for conversations about the love that Jesus has for them.
Paul also says that we should help those who are believers. That is because those who are believers are our spiritual family. Just as we ought to care for our relatives, we should also look for opportunities to love those who are part of the Church.
How has God gifted you with talents and abilities to serve others? Take some time to think about a few people in your life that you can help. Maybe it’s letting them know you’re thinking of them, or maybe it’s helping someone with a need they have. In any case, be on the lookout for ways that you can do good to all people as you go about your day.
How to Build Strong Character
Paul, the author of the letter to the Romans, frequently encouraged the believers in Rome amidst the persecution and adversity they were experiencing. The first half of Paul’s letter corrects some of their thinking, while the second half is focused on their character and actions.
In Romans 12, Paul is encouraging the believers to let love be the primary motivation for everything they do. When love is the foundation of who they are, then God can renew and transform every area of life. When they allow God to transform their character, that's when they're able to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.
Christians have a unique hope—we know that Jesus is victorious over evil and will one day return to make everything right. This means that we can have hope in the midst of suffering or difficult times.
Paul knew that affliction produces steadfast character within us. When we choose to endure through suffering, Jesus forms strength and ...