Pay Back or Pay Forward
Read John 13:34-35
Jesus said, "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."
-John 15:12 (NRSV)
I was at a memorial service. The pastor expressed that many would like to pay back the kind and helpful deeds of the person whose life we had gathered to honor. The pastor suggested that although we no longer could pay back our friend, we could pay forward his kindness by investing in the lives of others.
How many times have we wished we could find a way to pay back the good of parents, teachers, pastors, friends, and all the other people who invested their love and effort in us? We are separated from those saints by years, miles, and often death. Paying forward is the only direction we can go.
Jesus says to us, "Love one another as I have loved you."
Elmer A. Dickson (Florida, USA)
Dear God, you came in Jesus to pay for our sin and to lead us in new directions. Send your Spirit, that we may be moved to give to others, as we pray, "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."* Amen.
Thought for the Day
Give to Christ by giving to others.
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