Obligation or Love?

Have you ever received a gift out of obligation? Not the same as receiving it out of love is it? Wouldn't you say that doing something, receiving something, or giving something out of love is better than out of obligation? I recently had to look at forgiveness in these terms. Sometimes as Christians, we go and do what we are supposed to, kicking and screaming! We smile because we have to, we make a joyful noise because we have to, we say forgive me because we have to, we say I forgive you because we have to.

When we forgive someone out of obligation, have we truly forgiven? I believe that forgiveness out of obligation is not true forgiveness. In Philemon we can see a picture of forgiveness. We dont know all the details of what this man had done to Philemon. We do know that Paul sends him back to Philemon and asks Philemon to forgive him; not out of obligation but out of love. In verse 9, it says "I appeal to you on the basis of love" and in verse 14(b) it says "so that your good deed might not be out of obligation, but of your own free will". If we forgive because we are obligated we havent given true forgiveness. If we are forgiven out of obligation, we havent been given true forgiveness.

In the final verses of Philemon, Paul writes and tells them to prepare him a guest room. This indicates he is coming for a visit. Jesus IS COMING! What will He find us doing? Loving because we have been loved or going through the motions because were obligated?

God forgave us because of LOVE. Shouldn't we forgive each other out of LOVE, just like what we were shown?

Wonderful Father thank You for loving me. Help me to love others the way you love them and see them the way You do. Give me courage to ask for forgiveness, give me grace to offer forgiveness, and comfort when rejected. There is no one who gives like You. I love you because You loved me first. There is nothing good in me. Everything good comes from You Father. I am because You are.

First Fruits

What do you think of when you hear the word "first fruits"? I always think of harvest time. People will gather the fruit and first is always the best. I love to eat just ripe peaches. I eat them fuzz and all! Same thing with cantalope and watermelon (but I dont eat the rind!). I ask myself why do I enjoy the fruit so much? Its how sweet it taste! If it wasn't sweet to taste, I would not want it. Offering and sacrifice is the same way with God. All through the Old Testament, people had to bring a sacrifice to atone for their sin. God ask for the first fruit; the best. In the story of Cain and Abel, God accepted Abel's offering but rejected Cain's. Why did He reject? It wasnt the first fruit; the best.

When God sent the sacrifice that would atone for ALL sin, He sent His first fruit; the best. He sent Jesus. Isn't it amazing that God would send us the best and so many times we give Him second best. Can you think of anyone who deserves our best more than Him? Can you think of anyone who is more worthy of our praise? I can't.

In James 1:18 it says "By His own choice, He gave us a new birth by the message of truth so that we would be the first fruits of His creatures". Wow! God gives us new birth and makes us the first fruits of His creatures. He makes us His best!! He really is sweet and beyond understanding. God gives the sweetest gifts; love, comfort, defense, wisdom, forgiveness, grace, mercy, every need met. I am so unworthy of His best but He gives it anyway. Shouldn't I give my best?

Almighty Great Father You are so good. You are pure and holy and deserve the best. Keep my ways righteous and holy before You Father. May my sacrifice and praise be a pleasing aroma to Your nostrils and pleasant to Your ears. Search my heart and show me any sin that needs to be confessed. Keep me close to You and protected. I love you so much. Thank You for giving me Your best.