I hear the phrase “give back” a lot these days. What does that mean? To whom are you giving back? What are you giving back? Why are you giving back?
I read a few articles on the internet trying to get answers to those questions. It appears the motivations to give back are quite varied. Not only do they include altruistic reasons such as improving the community, but it seems they also include somewhat selfish reasons such as learning new skills or improving resumes. It also seems that some people give back once or twice to assuage their guilt. For example, once a year, they help out with feeding the homeless on Thanksgiving or they buy a toy and give it to one of the organizations collecting such during the Christmas season. For them, it isn’t a lifestyle.
For those of us who are born-again Christians, we have received an incredible gift! Although it is impossible to repay the gift, we should be giving back 24/7/365 out of a deep love for Jesus. It should be our lifestyle!
For those who are not born-again Christians, it is impossible to earn your way into an eternal relationship with God. There is no amount of giving back that will be enough. The only way to be reconciled back to Him is by admitting that you can’t do it. Only Jesus can wipe away your sins.
Most of the Bible can be summed up in the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. As we travel the country and talk with people about Jesus, I am shocked at how few “Christians” have heard of either of them. So, here they are (BTW, these are quotes from Jesus so I am putting them in red):
Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments.” - Matthew 22.37-40 (BSB)
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28.18-20 (BSB)
The Great Commandment can even be summarized into, “Love God and Love others”. Do you love God? I struggle believing it is possible to be a born-again Christian and not love God. Despite being a Christian for over 40 years, I am regularly reminded of the depth of my depravity. It is only by the grace and mercy of God and the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross to pay the price for my sin that I have hope of eternal life with God. How could I not love Him?
Do you love others? Have you have heard the statement, “How much do you have to HATE someone to not tell them about all that Jesus has done for you and the consequences of rejecting Him?” I didn’t come up with that statement and I don’t know to whom to give credit. However, it is very convicting to me. How about you?
Jesus also said, that if we love Him, we will do what He commanded (see John 14.15 & 21). Are you doing what He commanded?
If you really love God and love others, then you will be doing everything you can to obey the Great Commission. Are you:
- Claiming your authority as an ambassador of Jesus? (see also 2 Corinthians 5.20)
- Going to all nations?
- Making disciples of Jesus?
- Baptizing them in the name of Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit?
- Teaching them to obey (observe) everything He commanded?
- Relying on the ever presence of Jesus?
I challenge everyone who identifies as a Christian to give back as a lifestyle. Join Jesus in His mission.
And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them into a kingdom, priests to serve our God, and they will reign upon the earth.” Revelation 5.9-10 (BSB)
