It is a natural response to want to return a kindness given to us. If we are invited to dinner at someone’s home, we generally want to host that person in our home. If someone gives us a gift, we search for a way to give them a gift in return. Often as I enter a building I will hold the door open for another person entering the building. Generally they will return the favor by holding the next door open for me. What a wonderful world it would be if we didn’t just wait to return kindness, but also sought to extend kindness without first receiving kindness.
Near the beginning of Jesus’s ministry, He visited Peter’s house. Peter’s mother-in-law was ill, so Jesus healed her. Mark 1:31 records what happened next; “And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.” After receiving healing from Jesus, Peter’s mother-in-law began to serve Him and His disciples. After we receive salvation, redemption, healing, and love from Jesus, we will desire to serve Him in some way. When we receive His grace, love for Him will constrain our response.
Reluctant Retiree 