The Overflow of Gospel Love

While wrapping up the sermon series on Matthew’s Gospel last Sunday, I closed by focusing on a key verse—10:8.  Jesus sends his disciples on mission with this charge:  “Freely you have received, freely give.”  Jesus gives his vision for gospel-centered ministry.

We have received SO MUCH from the Lord—“life and breath and everything” (Acts 17:25); “What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7).  Salvation is truly priceless, and it’s God’s gift to all who have faith in Jesus (Romans 1:16).

AND:  receiving such a spectacular gift moves our hearts, with gratitude and joy, to share gospel truth and love with others who are in need.  Saving grace is a free gift (we don’t earn it or deserve it), but when it’s received it can’t be contained:  the soul is energized to let God’s grace flow through us to others.

This theological pattern is pervasive in the New Testament.  In addition to Matthew 10:8, consider a few passages:

“In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:10-11).

“We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

“For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…” (Ephesians 2:8-10).

“As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive” (Colossians 3:13).

Just to be clear, the call to action in these verses is not a “work for pay” arrangement.  Rather, it’s the “obedience of faith” (Romans 1:5; 16:26); it’s “faith working through love” (Galatians 5:6).  It’s the overflow of gospel love from the glad heart of a believer!