Reflections: Given to giving

I, as a citizen of God’s kingdom, together with all who believe in Christ, have diverse and unlimited resources “to give to anyone” (Acts 2:45) in need. I am, in fact, fully resourced and empowered to act favorably toward, treat graciously and give frequently and generously to – anyone.

While “common” sense tells me that I’m not rich, my “true” sense says I have unlimited resources. I can think, feel and act out the truth that “in Christ [I] have been brought to fullness!” (Col. 2:10) As a result, I can act favorably toward undeserving and/or unfortunate people, always treating others graciously, no matter what they deserve, and I can give to those others have abandoned.

I no longer do service as work, since the work is already done. I am not under the burden of restrained actions; I live in freedom, the freedom that comes from a changed nature.

I am free from performing as if to pay a debt, to impress others with work or under legal obligation. I live, not to repay God, but as an expression of devotion and love to Him. I live, having the power of the Holy Spirit working within me to do what I cannot do myself, even the ability to accommodate all kinds of people. I am able to graciously accept new challenges and less-than-ideal circumstances. I live:

not as a worthy achiever, but as an undeserving receiver;

not as one condemned, but as one justified;

not like a servant, for wages, but as a son/daughter, with a birthright;

not with an imperfect righteousness, but with Christ’s imputed righteousness;

not basing my life on human regulations, but on divine reconciliation;

not trying to quit sinning, but being assured that all my sin has been canceled;

not to do the law, but as one delivered from and dead to the law;

not as one reformed, but as one regenerated;

not to become good for God, but as one whom God has fully and freely accepted through Jesus;

not to develop competency in character, but as one complete in Christ;

not under my own power, but always and only under God’s energy

not to earn acceptance, but drenched in God’s unmerited favor;

not with conditional blessings, but with those that have been abundantly given.