Giving What You’ve Been Given

Christians should be the most loving people on the planet. We have accepted the ultimate gift from God. We have not only received salvation and eternal life, but we’ve received the gift of God Himself—love.

But that doesn't mean everyone is easy to love! Most of us have relationships in our lives that are difficult or painful to engage in. However, Scripture encourages us to make every opportunity possible to love those around us.

God the Father gave us the breath that we breathe. Jesus brought us to Himself so that we might be saved by His power. The Spirit of God lives within us and empowers us for every good deed. All of these things have been freely given to us with no strings attached. 

Having received this amazing love and mercy from God, we ought to love others in the same way. When we love others in the same manner that God has loved us, we exhibit the greatest evidence that we are children of God.

If we fail to love those around us, we also fail to show them the love of God. We should not deny others what we’ve been freely given. Loving others doesn’t mean we need to willingly be mistreated, or agree with someone else’s lifestyle or worldview. It does mean that we need to use every opportunity to love them the way God loves them.

Take some time today to reflect first on the love of God that you have received through Christ, and write down some simple steps you can take to show that love to the people He's put in your life.