In Matthew 1:8 Jesus tells
His disciples, “Freely you have received, freely give.” This statement is a
foundational truth in the kingdom of God. In order to give anything, we must
first receive. You’ve probably heard the saying “you can’t get blood out of a
turnip.” Meaning, you cannot give what you don’t have.
Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be
kind, tenderhearted, forgiving one other; even as God in Christ forgave you.”
This is one of many scriptures telling the believer in Jesus to be kind, loving, and forgiving. According to our opening scripture, we must first receive these
from Jesus, in order to have them to give to others.
I wonder if one of the
reasons we struggle to love others is because we have not fully received the
great love that God has for us. I wonder if one of the reasons we struggle to forgive
others is because we have not fully received the forgiveness that is offered to
us in Jesus Christ. Freely you have received, freely give.
It’s been many years ago
now, but when I surrendered my life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, I accepted
His offer to forgive me of all of my sins. I experienced God’s love as I read
the word of God and found out how great God’s love was for me. Something was
changing on the inside of me. Now, I had something to give. I could obey a
scripture like Ephesians 4:32 because I had received those very things from my
Lord.
I have a question for you: Have
you fully received all that our Lord desires to give to you? That is a good
question for each of us to take to the Lord in prayer. Receiving must come
first, then we have something to give. Freely you have received, freely give.
