Matthew 5:38-48
Today's Passage: Matthew 5:38-48
Our world is consumed with selfishness and personal gain, but followers of Jesus should be marked by overwhelming generosity and love towards all people. This is a simple statement but it profoundly impacts our lives. Let’s unpack this by asking two clarifying questions, Why and How.
Why should we live our lives with generosity and love? Because they reflect the characteristics of the God we serve. God, who could have left us in our sin to be condemned to hell forever, left his throne to die in our place to forgive and redeem us. He loved us when we were unlovable. He gave us his righteousness. He loves us amid our failures. He gives us grace day after day.
Jesus is the very definition of love and generosity, and our lives are living examples of just how generous and loving he can be! Why should we be generous and loving to others, because we have been the recipients of infinite love and generosity. We have been made sons and daughters of God, therefore we should reflect his character.
Who should be the recipients of our generosity and love? Everyone! Look again at God, our example. The same God who is infinitely holy and wrathful toward sin - graciously gives the sun and rain to all people. God freely gives to all people, even if they don’t deserve it, and we should reflect his character!
We are also held to a higher standard. Everyone loves people who are easy to love, or who will return the favor, but as followers of Christ, we are called to love ALL! Even those who hate us or persecute us. We are called to give to those who are in need. Not the ones who repay or will help us one day. The standard for Christians has been raised. Because we have freely received from the Lord, we should freely and joyfully give to others.
Who is hard to love in your life (don’t say them out loud!)?
How can you show them the love that YOU have received?
Who is always needy in your life?
How can you help them the way that God helped you?
Written By: Joe Weaver
Our world is consumed with selfishness and personal gain, but followers of Jesus should be marked by overwhelming generosity and love towards all people. This is a simple statement but it profoundly impacts our lives. Let’s unpack this by asking two clarifying questions, Why and How.
Why should we live our lives with generosity and love? Because they reflect the characteristics of the God we serve. God, who could have left us in our sin to be condemned to hell forever, left his throne to die in our place to forgive and redeem us. He loved us when we were unlovable. He gave us his righteousness. He loves us amid our failures. He gives us grace day after day.
Jesus is the very definition of love and generosity, and our lives are living examples of just how generous and loving he can be! Why should we be generous and loving to others, because we have been the recipients of infinite love and generosity. We have been made sons and daughters of God, therefore we should reflect his character.
Who should be the recipients of our generosity and love? Everyone! Look again at God, our example. The same God who is infinitely holy and wrathful toward sin - graciously gives the sun and rain to all people. God freely gives to all people, even if they don’t deserve it, and we should reflect his character!
We are also held to a higher standard. Everyone loves people who are easy to love, or who will return the favor, but as followers of Christ, we are called to love ALL! Even those who hate us or persecute us. We are called to give to those who are in need. Not the ones who repay or will help us one day. The standard for Christians has been raised. Because we have freely received from the Lord, we should freely and joyfully give to others.
Who is hard to love in your life (don’t say them out loud!)?
How can you show them the love that YOU have received?
Who is always needy in your life?
How can you help them the way that God helped you?
Written By: Joe Weaver
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