You do realize that there is no way you can repay the Lord for what He’s done for you and keeps doing… yes? And that it has never been an understanding, perception that you deserve His consideration. Then again… that really isn’t the question. So what DO you do? Is it a bit like what the boy does in the song “The Little Drummer Boy”? But what does scripture say about repaying the Lord?
So what can you (we, anyone) do? What ‘repayment’ could possibly be offered? The Answer is – You. That’s your best (and only, I would argue) gift you can give. It is always your choice, your offering… your gift to the Lord. And it is a gift that keeps on giving as you grow into the person, the best you, you can be. The best win-win. Because becoming your best is your gift to you as well.
Seriously, have you ever thought that growing, becoming the best you is also a gift to yourself? It is. And it is completely under your control – you decide if you will learn, if you will grow, if you will give your best gift. But it should also give you a great sense of direction to know that this is your method/way of acknowledging and ‘repaying’ the Lord.
When scripture talks about ‘repayment’ there is a shift from a ‘quid pro quo’ approach.
“Owe nothing to anyone except to love and seek the best for one another; for he who [unselfishly] loves his neighbor has fulfilled the [essence of the] law [relating to one’s fellowman].” (Romans 13:8, AMP)
This scripture is talking about not being in debt except the deb to love and seek the best for others. Again, something that we choose to do. It also comes with a gift attached: fulfilling the essence of the law.
“But whoever has the world’s goods (adequate resources), and sees his brother in need, but has no compassion for him, how does the love of God live in him?” (1 John 3:17, AMP)
The context of repayment in this verse is a question, a way to judge our own actions. How would God’s love be in evidence in us if we acted without compassion?
“Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love].” (Galatians 6:2, AMP)
Again our choice. But this is behavior that is pleasing to the Lord. Even though it is impossible to repay Him for His gift of life to us, when we do the things that He would have us be/do, then we are becoming our best selves. Always remember His words:
“Be on guard; stand firm in your faith [in God, respecting His precepts and keeping your doctrine sound]. Act like [mature] men and be courageous; be strong. Let everything you do be done in love [motivated and inspired by God’s love for us].” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14, AMP)
We, with all our flaws but also our qualities, still are our best gift to the Lord. We demonstrate this when we do what He tells us and know that when we abide in Him that we have everything we need to continue to be our best gift.
