Tag: Favor

Compassion, Living in the Image of God

Testimony of Appreciation

Living in the Image of God M02S13

Christ instruction to a man freed from demons conveys a message of giving testimony in appreciation of favor. Whether the favor is delivered direct from God or channeled through another person, the recipient is called to tell others about the favor, tell them about the benefactor, and tell them about God. A testimony of appreciation helps the benefactor understand they made positive impact, motivates all to seek to be good to others, and inspires better understanding of human relationship with God through what he has done for others in a given situation.

Testimony of Appreciation 6:00

Based on Christ instruction to a man freed from demons (Mark 5:19), we discuss a message of giving testimony in appreciation of favor. The message calls on every favor recipient to give testimony regarding his or her appreciation. The favor could be delivered direct from God, such as Hannah giving birth to Samuel; or channeled through a person that provides goods or service to benefit another. Whichever the case, the recipient is called to tell others about the favor, tell them about the benefactor, and tell them about God. Also, the recipient is called to tell the benefactor as well, privately or among other people.

Such a testimony will inspire the benefactor to understand they made positive impact by providing goods or service to benefit others. Also, the testimony will motivate goodness in the benefactor and others and inspire them to understand what God has done for people in given situations. As a result, a testimony of appreciation increases opportunities to propagate the long-term benefits of human service.

In a previous bible study under Christ Teaches Appreciation—Man Freed from Demons, we discuss Christ interactions with the man freed of demons to understand the circumstances of Christ’s instruction. In this bible study, we focus on the instruction to understand that it applies and how it applies to every recipient of favor, delivered direct or channeled through others.

Continue reading “Testimony of Appreciation” →
Compassion, Living in the Image of God

Christ Teaches Appreciation—Man Freed from Demons

Living in the Image of God M02S12

Through interactions with a man freed from demons, Christ conveys a message that a recipient of favor is called to testify publicly to share appreciation with others. The man showed appreciation by requesting to follow Jesus physically. However, Jesus sent him home instead, with instruction to testify among his people regarding what God had done for him. Public testimony conveys appreciation to the benefactor and shares positive message to others regarding favor and appreciation, thus inspiring them to do more likewise and initiating the long-term benefits of human service.

Christ Teaches Appreciation—Man Freed from Demons 7:14

We discuss Christ interactions with a man freed from demons (Mark 5:1–20) to understand that public testimony regarding appreciation is important to God. He wants a recipient of favor to testify publicly to share his or her appreciation with others. The man freed from demons regained control of himself and wanted to follow Jesus physically. However, Jesus sent him home instead, with instruction to testify among his people regarding what God had done for him.

Testifying among his people was an opportunity to share the message of what God had done for him and present himself as an example of God’s favor provided to a human being through his son Jesus. As we discuss previously in Understanding Appreciation, a favor by another human person is a favor from God because he positions and empowers others to represent him in human interactions: whereby every person could function as the channel for God’s favor to another. Therefore, lessons learned from Christ interactions with a recipient of direct favor from God provide a basis for understanding God’s expectations of recipients of human favor.

Furthermore, as we discuss in Understanding Appreciation, a public testimony regarding appreciation conveys gratitude to the benefactor and shares positive message to others regarding a benefit received, the human provider of the benefit, and an understanding that God positioned and empowered the benefactor to perform the favor. Such a message inspires the benefactor and others to do more likewise, thus initiating and propagating the long-term benefits of human service. Therefore, testimony regarding appreciation is important to God as a key aspect of his purpose for human interactions and relationships.

Continue reading “Christ Teaches Appreciation—Man Freed from Demons” →
Compassion, Living in the Image of God

Christ Teaches Appreciation—Man Healed of Leprosy

Living in the Image of God M02S11

Interactions with a man healed from leprosy convey a message that God expects a recipient of favor (benefit provided by others) to appreciate the favor, appreciate the benefactor, and appreciate God for empowering the benefactor. Further, he expects the recipient to show appreciation by giving testimony. Also, his expectation of a favor recipient is the same even for those that could claim the favor as an entitlement. The man was one of ten healed in the event but he alone returned to give thanks. Christ criticized the nine but acknowledged the one and confirmed his faith had healed him.

Christ Teaches Appreciation—Man Healed of Leprosy 7:56

We discuss Christ interactions with a man healed of leprosy to understand that God expects appreciation from every recipient of favor (i.e., benefit provided by others) and expects the recipient to show appreciation by giving testimony. Even if the favor is done to fulfill an entitlement, God expects appreciation and testimony from the recipient. As we discuss previously in Understanding Appreciation, appreciation means thankful recognition of benefits received, the human provider of the benefits, and God that empowers the provider. Testimony regarding appreciation provides opportunity to share the information with others and inspire them (especially the benefactor) to do more likewise.

The man was one of a group of ten men that Christ healed from leprosy during the event. However, only the one man (a foreigner) returned to give thanks. The other nine did not return. Jesus criticized the nine for failing to return to show appreciation, notwithstanding they could claim to be entitled to the favor because they were Jews from Israel. We learn from his criticism that their response differs from what God expects of a favor recipient. In contrast, his interactions with the one man that returned convey a message that appreciation and testimony regarding appreciation are important to God.

Appreciation pleases God. He wants every recipient of favor to appreciate the favor, appreciate the benefactor, and appreciate God for empowering the benefactor. Furthermore, he wants the recipient to show appreciation by giving testimony. Also, his expectation of a favor recipient is the same even for those that could claim the favor as an entitlement.

Continue reading “Christ Teaches Appreciation—Man Healed of Leprosy” →