2.5 You Have Freely Received; Freely Give
Passing On Received Love – The Call to Neighborly Love
Read John 15:12; 1 John 3:16; and 1 John 4:7–12. What do these passages teach us about the relationship between God’s love, our love for God, and our love for others?
The verses from John 15:12; 1 John 3:16; and 1 John 4:7–12 clearly demonstrate that God’s love is both the origin and the model for our love—both towards Him and towards others. This love is a gift given to us without any return, and it obligates us to pass it on just as generously.
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God’s Love as a Model
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The Depth of God’s Love: Jesus shows us through His sacrifice on the cross how selfless and boundless true love is. He paid a debt that we could never repay.
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Commandment to Love: Jesus calls us to love one another as He has loved us. This love is not merely a feeling but is expressed through selfless actions and service to others.
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Love as a Sign of Forgiveness
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Acknowledged Forgiveness Inspires Love: Luke 7:47 reminds us that our willingness to love depends on how consciously we are aware of the forgiveness of our own debt. Those who understand how much has been forgiven to them will be filled with gratitude and love.
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A Life of Grace: Our love for God is shown in how we extend the grace we have received to others—in forgiveness, patience, and practical assistance.
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Love in Words and Deeds
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Help in the Here and Now: God’s love becomes visible when we support others in their daily lives—whether through practical assistance, comfort, or simply by sharing time and attention.
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Pointing to the Eternal: This love does not stop at earthly needs. It also points to the eternal hope found in Jesus Christ—the promise of new life in a world without sin and death.
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Practical Significance for Our Faith Life
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Living Gratitude: Remembering the immeasurable forgiveness we have received through Jesus should lead us to a posture of gratitude expressed in love.
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Practicing Selfless Love: Our lives should reflect God’s love by loving others unconditionally and selflessly—in the family, in the church, and in society.
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Bearing Witness: Love in actions is powerful, but we should also not hesitate to point to Jesus through our words. Our love for others should always include an invitation to encounter God.
Summary
God’s love for us is a gift that not only saves us but also calls us to imitation. The forgiveness we have received obligates us to pass on this love—in actions that address people’s needs here and now and in words that point to the eternal hope in Christ. This responsibility is both an expression of gratitude and a testimony to the transformative power of God’s love in the world.
What can you concretely do to love God by loving others? What can you do today and in the coming days to show people God’s love and ultimately invite them to enjoy the promise of eternal life?
Concrete Steps to Love God by Loving Others:
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Live Love in Daily Life
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Today:
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Show kindness to someone in your environment, whether through a thoughtful conversation, an encouraging call, or a small helping gesture.
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Pray specifically for a person who is struggling or feeling lonely, and let them know you are thinking of them.
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In the Coming Days:
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Look for opportunities where you can actively help, whether by assisting with daily tasks like shopping or childcare, or simply by being present.
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Practice Forgiveness
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Today: Consider if there is someone you need to forgive and take the first step toward reconciliation.
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In the Coming Days: Practice being non-retaliatory, meeting people with patience and understanding.
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Show God’s Love Through Concrete Help
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Today:
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Donate time or resources to help those in need—whether through a visit, a donation, or participating in a project in your community.
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In the Coming Days:
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Commit to a long-term involvement in an initiative that supports people in need, consciously letting God’s love shine through.
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Point People to God’s Love
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Today:
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Share an encouraging Bible verse or a word of hope with someone going through a tough time.
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In the Coming Days:
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Invite someone to a church service, Bible study, or a Christian event to introduce them to the promise of eternal life.
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Live Love in Family and Community
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Today:
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Show patience and appreciation towards your family members or others, even in everyday challenges.
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In the Coming Days:
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Intentionally spend time with people around you, listen to them, and build an atmosphere of love and acceptance.
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Summary:
The love for God is manifested in how we interact with others. Through small and large acts of kindness, forgiveness, support, and encouragement, we can make God’s love tangible. At the same time, we should point people to the hope and promise of eternal life found in Jesus Christ. Every step—whether today or in the coming days—can be an expression of our love for God and an invitation for others to experience this love themselves.
The lesson about received and passed-on love has direct significance for our daily lives and our faith. It calls us to make the love we have received from God alive in our everyday actions.
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Living Love in Relationships
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In Daily Life: In every encounter with others, we have the opportunity to mirror God’s love. Whether through patience, kindness, or offering practical help—these gestures are expressions of our faith.
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In Faith: Our relationship with God is strengthened when we actively pass on His love. Obedience to the command to love others is a sign of genuine dedication to Him.
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The Transformative Power of Forgiveness
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In Daily Life: Forgiveness heals relationships and grants us peace. It is a practical means of making God’s love visible and bearing witness to it.
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In Faith: By forgiving others, we experience the depth of God’s forgiveness ourselves. This attitude renews our relationship with God and with people.
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Love as a Testimony for Christ
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In Daily Life: People become aware of God through our acts of love. An encouraging conversation, practical help, or a heartfelt invitation can open someone’s heart.
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In Faith: When we point others to the source of our love—Jesus Christ—we connect earthly help with the eternal hope of the Gospel.
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Gratitude as the Foundation of Neighborly Love
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In Daily Life: Realizing that we have received undeserved love and forgiveness motivates us to act generously and selflessly. This gratitude helps us look beyond our own well-being.
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In Faith: Gratitude deepens our worship and makes our service to others an expression of our love for God.
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Love as a Daily Decision
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In Daily Life: In small, everyday decisions—like being patient in a stressful situation or being helpful in dealing with others—God’s love becomes concrete. These moments are opportunities to reflect His character.
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In Faith: The conscious decision to live out love brings us closer to God and strengthens our trust in Him.
Practical Connections:
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Today: Write a message to someone you haven’t contacted in a long time to show them God’s love. Or help someone who needs practical support.
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This Week: Plan a specific action where you serve someone, such as volunteering or offering help in your environment.
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Long-Term: Look for opportunities to be part of a ministry or community that makes God’s love visible, whether through social work, mission projects, or church activities.
Summary
The love we have received from God is the core of our faith and the foundation for our actions. This love should become visible in our relationships, our forgiveness, and our testimony. It gives our lives deeper meaning and invites others to experience the transformative power of God’s love themselves. By passing on this love, we live out the message of the Gospel in our daily lives.
