Day 20

January 30

“For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:7–8

 Many give, but few do so freely. For those who do, it is a miracle of the Spirit of Jesus at work in us. Paul comes to some interesting conclusions and subsequent remarks that may be lost on us as contemporary readers of the Word. In Romans 5:7, he makes a distinction between a "righteous person" and a "good person". Unless we assume this is a tongue-in-cheek statement, we become aware that we all instinctively recognize the difference when we see these two kinds of people living their lives in a variety of circumstances, especially when observed over time. A “righteous” person is someone who knows how to have proper relations with others. In kindness, they treat and consider others well, and they have a life of right relationship to God, where they are connected with Him, and we see this often by their faithfulness to the religious things they do. But a "good" person is something completely different; it’s otherworldly. It’s why Jesus remarks that no one is truly “good” in themselves. 

Someone good, even by our estimation, is one who we see lives completely compelled by love for God and people, and that is then expressed in open-hearted and open-handed generosity. A generous person is someone who repeatedly sacrifices for others. They keep giving, and giving, and giving freely, well beyond everyone else's expiration date. Often, for years on end and for the rest of their lives, they demonstrate this generosity to everyone they meet. And the amazing thing is we were neither “righteous” nor “good” when Christ found us, and yet Christ, who is both, died for us—the ungodly! But we can be both as His people, by His Spirit! 

That's why Paul also said that this "goodness" or “freely given generosity” is a fruit of the Spirit. (Gal 5:22-23). Extravagant Generosity is how we can observe that someone is governed by love and compassion instead of external control, as they exhibit “mastery over self” (also a fruitful work of the Spirit). This humble posture of sacrifice is exactly what we see in Jesus as He comes to earth and gives Himself up for us freely. The results are completely unimaginable because abundant absolute love is at work. A love that is selfless, sacrificial, and sufficient. It becomes completely satisfying because it changes you and everyone who is touched by it. The greatest gifts Jesus gave us were not just the forgiveness of and freedom from sin, but the life He demonstrated of Faith, and subsequent close connection to the Father that was "generous to (what many would consider) a fault". 

His words of prayer in the garden, "Father...not my will" (desire) "but your will (desire) be done” and on the cross, "Father, forgive them for they don't know what they do" are the fuel that not only powered His sacrifice that dark afternoon, but freely gave a transformational lifestyle that the Ancient Christian Church was then empowered to endure through persecution for 3 centuries and since then for thousands of pockets of disciples through the centuries and across the globe. If only this were still true for the whole Church! But couldn't it be?!?

Yes! We too can be truly generous people, freely giving of our Hearts & Love, Forgiveness and Grace, Courage and Kindness, Minds and Words, Presence and Purpose, and Hands and Feet every day, not for ourselves but for Christ; especially to our enemies and especially at many inconvenient times and circumstances, as we remain "in Christ", overflowing with His Word and Spirit, choosing generosity and simplicity, and making those virtues the only extravagance we pursue. It's Christ's freely given "goodness" that, when received, compels us to lay down our lives for Him and others. 

This generous lifestyle truly makes it a delight to give and give and give at the same proportional ratio that we have received from His abundant generosity to us, overflowing in peace, that always comes at just the right time. And this results in a release of joy that can only come from letting go of self and choosing to freely love and freely give in Christ's way instead of the world's cheap imitation. 

Prayer:

Loving Father, we were made for generosity, and we have so much capacity for this Kingdom lifestyle. The reality around us is one of increasing self-centeredness and vain pursuit of possessions, pretense, platforms, positions, and false power. BUT, when we rely on your indwelling Spirit, you make us people who bring reconciliation with us to others by freely giving sacrificially and generously. This is a simple, selfish act that reflects your act on the cross and still does as you sit enthroned as King in Heaven. Not our wills, our desires, but Your will and way. Make this a year for us where we are re-parented in all aspects of life to be generous in the same ways you have been so generous to us. Fill us afresh with the absolute and abundant love of Heaven, so that its fractals fracture the facade of the world's false versions of love and grace. We pray that we will be a blessing, for this is why we were called and blessed and will be blessed in full when you return.“For, 'Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and make good [cultivate a lifestyle of generosity to become the reality all around them]; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who make evil.'” (1 Peter‬ 

In the fullness of Your Spirit, may this become our pursuit of You in the land of the living, as we await Your return. We want to see You, Jesus as we are freely given to You and others. In Jesus Name, we agree by prayer!

Drew Strecker

Pastor in Charlotte, NC