One of nicest things we can do as a Christian is to “pay it forward” when led to do so. Some call this “passing it on.”

I was asked to address this issue by Matt, a brother in Christ. He asked if I might say a few words on this subject. There are many ways we can show this type of kindness and appreciation to others. Following are some ideas.

Pay for someone’s meal without their knowledge.

Give your seat to someone else on a crowded bus.

Offer an honest compliment on a job well done.

Don’t tailgate the slow, slow driver in front of you.

Provide an anonymous gift to a family who has lost their home from a fire.

Provide financial assistance, anonymously, to someone needing an expensive operation.

Complete a company survey, complementing the employee who served your needs.

These are only a few examples. There are literally hundreds of ways we can pay it forward by showing the love of God for others. That’s really what it’s all about. We should always do these kind gestures from love for our fellowman. If it is ever done out of duty or our wanting recognition, it should not be done at all. Neither should it be done out of pity or “looking down” on others.

When we help others, even in a small way, it takes our eyes off us. It also gives us a reward of feeling good inside by helping others. A further reward is that God increases our love we have toward other people and then we look for ways to do more.

The Apostle Paul said to the elders of Ephesus upon his departure from them,  “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35 NASB emphasis mine) The passage Paul was referring to is Luke 14:12-14 which says:

“And He also went on to say to the one who had invited Him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and that will be your repayment. “But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (NASB)

How many times have we seen an opportunity come our way to be kind to another and then failed? Here’s some advice. Don’t dwell on it. Move on, because more opportunities will arise. Be ready the next time to not let it slip through your fingers.

Probably the greatest thing we can give anyone else when paying it forward is the good news about Jesus. It’s great to pay for someone’s meal, or their health needs, or bus ticket, or haircut, or groceries, etc. but there is nothing like paying it forward with the good news of eternal life found only in Jesus Christ.

Can sharing the Gospel though actually be classified as paying it forward? Let’s read something else Jesus said.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 NASB)

Someone told us about Jesus, and someone told them about Jesus, and someone told them about Jesus. Don’t you think Jesus wants us to pay it forward too so someone else can have what we have; i.e. eternal life through Him? Of course He does. If that isn’t paying it forward (or passing it on) I don’t know what is.

Think about this. The good news about the Good News is that when it was paid forward to us and we pay it forward to someone else, there is actually no “paying” involved other than what Jesus paid for us on the cross. When we put our faith in Jesus to save us everything is paid in full. There is nothing left owing. The slate is clean. And that my friends has been forwarded on to be written down in Heaven and sealed on earth by the Holy Spirit that resides in us as a deposit, a guarantee, of God’s promise of eternal life for those who put their trust in His Son.

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” (John 19:30 NASB) When Jesus said “It is finished,” He was saying our debt has been paid in full. There is nothing left owing. It is an accounting term meaning that the balance is zero.

We may pay it forward occasionally here on earth by paying for someone’s meal, but they will still need to pay for their next meal and their next. However, when it comes to salvation, only Jesus can “pay it forward.” We pay it forward by passing on to others this Good News.

Perhaps when we assist someone else in paying it forward, Jesus is allowing us to experience just a teeny bit of what He feels for us. We pay it forward just a smidgen. He paid it all. When our heart goes out to that one in need of a bright spot in their day, let us consider the great love our Lord has for us.

Let us also consider the blessing received by the one we help. Can it not restore that person’s faith in man, that not all people are selfish and uncaring? Of course it can. Especially if they realize the help comes from someone identified with Jesus Christ, could this not help in perking their interest in hearing about Jesus? It is very likely. That may be a door of opportunity to provide the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ.

So when the opportunities arise, and they will, maybe we should consider the small acts of kindness we can be part of by simply “paying it forward.”

Grant Phillips

“For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So, then, every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:11-12)

Our society is becoming more and more volatile in its attitude toward Jesus Christ and His followers (true Christians). Its hatred and rejection toward His Word is not puzzling at all when realizing it is because the Bible shines the light of God on the sins of the world and reveals its dark heart. The Bible boldly asserts that man is corrupt and needs to be saved. It loudly proclaims that there is only one way of redemption and that is through the Son of God, Jesus the Christ. All who travel the broad road will slide down the precipice of hell to suffer judgment for all eternity.

No one likes to be told they are a sinner, but the Scripture says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Then it hammers the nail in the coffin with, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Even though the Lord quickly follows up by promising the “gift of God,” it is rejected by so many and accepted by so few. Most do not want to give up their sins, and their pride prohibits them from admitting they need to be saved. All they need to gain eternal life is to put their trust in Jesus Christ and in His grace He will do the rest, but the serpent of old draws them away.

Our current society is mimicking the societies of Noah and Lot’s day. It has donned the black robe of diabolical evil. It bows before the god of the night, and shuns the one true God since their deeds would be revealed in the light.

Those who lie in the wet, smelly, garbage-strewn gutter and those who lie on lavender-scented silk in palatial palaces will all meet in one group at the end. From every vocation they will meet. From all types of families, various levels of education, male and female, north and south, east and west, every skin color of every age, all will stand together in this one group of people. From every religion they will stand before the one true God in this cursed group to await their fate.

The macho attitude that is so prevalent today will be humbled before the One they curse now, but it will be too late. The attitude of “I don’t need God” will quickly dissipate as a morning fog burned away by the sun, except now the Son will burn away that vaporous pride and pronounce judgment on all who stand before Him. The works will be weighed, but none will measure up to what is needed for eternal life. The scale of judgment will not climb above the sentence of eternal death. Only One could have provided eternal life, but He was rejected. Now there is only judgment.

From the nice old lady down the street to the most corrupt politician, all will stand before a Holy God. From the gentle family man to the most obscene Hollywood performer, the knee will bow. From the church member to the drug-induced criminal, judgment day is coming. The one criterion they all have in common is their rejection of: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

A true Christian understands that it is only by the grace of a loving God that we will not have to stand before Him and be judged. We deserve to be judged. However, we accepted: “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37) There is the difference.

There are two groups. One group refuses to accept Jesus Christ as Savior, so they will face Him as their Judge and die in their sins (John 8:24). The other group accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior, and Jesus took the judgment for their sins. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Both will bow the knee to the Son of God, Jesus Christ. We who are saved by His precious blood gladly worship Him in gratitude.

The potentates of this world think they have all power since they rule over millions of people and some with even the power of life and death. They too will bow. They think now, “No one can take this from me, and I will not give it up,” but God says,

“Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.” (1 Corinthians 15:24)

All rule, all authority and all power, including Satan’s will be vanquished, and all will bow the knee to Jesus Christ. Yes, I believe that also includes Satan and all his demons.

Personally, I prefer to bow now and will gladly do so out of love when I see Him face to face. What about you?

Grant Phillips