For in Him you have been enriched in every way, in all speech and in all knowledge. 1 Corinthians 1:5
It’s always fun to play the rebate game with products on the market today. A rebate is a partial refund given to someone who has already paid full price for an item as an incentive to buy the product. In other words, the company gives back to you. It can be a lot of trouble, but why not collect a reward for your purchase?
There is a rebate going on in the Christian’s life as well. Jesus has already paid the entire price for our salvation, and in return, how we would go about offering a rebate to Him? Do we ever think about what we owe Him? Do we ever consider how to give back a part of what He has done for us in some way?
Fortunately, there are ways to give back, and I can think of a few ways in which we could begin. First, everyone has some basic talent no matter how large or how small. What if we took that talent and turned it into service? Maybe a visit to a shut in, maybe an offer to bring a meal to someone in need, maybe a volunteer opportunity, and the list goes on.
Secondly, we could offer a rebate in the form of love. Instead of always thinking of ourselves first, we might think of trying to do what’s best for others instead of ourselves. In other words, put others first by making time for them.
There is a story told of a man who gave of his time visiting in nursing homes. One of the patients that he visited was blind and often sleeping during his visits, so he would just sit and hold the patient’s hand. One day when he came to visit, there was a young girl in the room. She rose, greeted him, and asked, “Are you the man who visits and holds my Dad’s hand?” He replied that he indeed was that visitor. The daughter smiled as she replied, “Oh, he loves your visits. He tells me that Jesus comes and holds his hand every week.”
Thirdly, remember the Power that we as Christians are given. When the spirit of the world tells us to be afraid, we should remember God tells us to move forward. Joseph Stalin used propaganda as a powerful way to control Russians in the pre and post World War II era. These people betrayed their friends, loved ones, and morality in order to escape the purging that they had been told would come if they didn’t listen and obey. The world uses this same method today to tell us that we, as Christians should be afraid.
When the spirit of the world speaks fear and anxiousness, we need to respond with the Spirit of Power that God gives us. At that point, we can turn fear and anxiousness into courage.
There is a wonderful rebate waiting for us if we only have the courage to move forward in being the hands and feet of Jesus.