LOVE AND APPRECIATION

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. – Galatians 6:10.

The longer we serve Christ, the easier it is to not just say, “I love you” to a brother or sister-in-Christ, but to actually demonstrate that love, for love demands actions for it to be real love. That is why as believers, we can also love our enemies, as Christ commands us to do, because it is not dependent upon feelings, but actions. However, something we can’t do outside the Body of Christ is tell an unbeliever we appreciate their works or deeds; for appreciation, gratitude, and heartfelt thanks, can only be truly reserved for those who are in obedience to Christ Jesus. When we see a brother or sister actually walking in the gifts the Holy Spirit has given them, we see Christ’s love manifested through them and it is then that we can truly appreciate the things they do. We tell one another we love them, but how often do we tell them we appreciate them? When we tell one another they are appreciated, it fosters and plants seeds of encouragement, gratitude, and thanksgiving.

I personally appreciate and am thankful to belong to a Body of believers who don’t just read the Word, but who actually live it. Believe me, there are many congregations that preach and teach the Word of God, yet forget that we are to immerse ourselves in it and DO what it says!

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.