Proverbs 13:21
Evil pursues sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repaid.
Christians are called to a higher spiritual practice, a call to do
good even when our actions may not be reciprocated or rewarded in the way we
expect. This is the essence of unconditional love and selfless service, a
fundamental principle of our walk with Christ.
In the book of Luke, Chapter 6, verse 35, our Lord Jesus
teaches, "But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them
without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you
will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and
wicked."
Here, Jesus is calling us to a radical love, the love that
is kind to those who are ungrateful and lends without expecting repayment. It
is this love that identifies us as children of God, for it reflects the nature
of our Heavenly Father.
But why do we often find this principle challenging to live
by? The answer lies in our human nature. We live in a world where most actions
are driven by the expectation of a return. We give to receive; we love to be loved;
we help to be helped. But if we are to truly follow Christ, we must learn to
rise above these worldly motivations and do good purely for the love of God and
humanity.
In the Book of Galatians, Chapter 6, verse 9, Apostle Paul
encourages us, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the
proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Although the
fruits of our good deeds may not be immediately visible, we must have faith
that God sees and appreciates our efforts, and in His time, we will reap the
rewards.
In following this path, dear brothers and sisters, we may
face discouragement. We may face disappointment, but we must not grow weary.
For God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown
Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them (Hebrews 6:10).
The journey of doing good with no expectations of return is
a road less travelled. It is a path of humility, selflessness, and sacrificial
love. It is a testament to our faith in God and His divine justice. It is the
path our Lord Jesus walked, and in His footsteps, we are called to follow.
So, I invite you today, beloved, to embrace this principle
in your daily lives. See every act of kindness, every gesture of love, every
moment of service as an opportunity to reflect the love of God – not for what
you may gain, but for the solace and joy it brings to others. In this way, we
live out our faith, growing closer to God, and becoming a beacon of His divine
love in the world.
May the Lord continue to strengthen you as you commit to
this noble path, and may His grace abound in your lives.