25/04/09

Charity

I Corinthians 16:14 - Let all your things be done with charity.

One of the greatest losses to Christianity is the lack of understanding between love and charity and the confusion between both.

In India it is common to see stickers on vehicles written 'God is Love - Love is God'. I see them and find them foolish. If we say 'you are good' but the other 'good are you' does not make sense.

The scriptures like in I John 4:8, 16 clearly state God as charity and not love. The Greek word Agape means charity and the word Agapao means love. The nature of God is charity but by doing charity we do not become God. We behave like God or children of God and thus show God unto others.

If we understand the charity we understand a great part of Christianity. A few things Christianity is based on are truth, righteousness, holiness, patience, mercy and charity. The greatest among these is charity for it is because of charity we were created, it is because of charity that Jesus died for us and it is because of charity we testify Jesus and preach His Gospel.

We also receive our promises when we really understand charity - God's charity towards us. And the best way of understanding something is by putting it to practice. So let us live charity, breathe charity and show charity unto others. By this we will not only testify God unto others and bless them but also be blessed ourselves by building a better relationship with God.


[ Prayer Starter ]

Father God, You are charity and when we live You we show You unto others. Lord help me testify You unto others by dying to myself and living for You and for your purpose - to save your people. I ask this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]

1 John 4:7,8
7 Beloved, let us love (Agapao) one another: for love (Agape) is of God; and every one that loveth (Agapao) is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth (Agapao) not knoweth not God; for God is love (Agape).

1 John 4:15,16
15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
16 And we have known and believed the love (Agape) that God hath to us. God is love (Agape); and he that dwelleth in love (Agape) dwelleth in God, and God in him.

1 Timothy 6:11
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love (Agape), patience, meekness.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)