I’ve grown up with this. You probably have, too, ESPECIALLY if you’re Chinese. One needs to save face by following THE LAW OF RECIPROCATION, wherein you must return the favor that someone did for you whether or not you really want to only because that is the courteous thing to do.
It seems really natural. I personally don’t like it because most of the time it takes the heart out of loving others. But anyways, because we’re human, that’s just how we do things. So why stop something we are likely not to stop no matter how hard we try? But generally, the law of reciprocation is nice. It’s nice to get things. It’s nice to get things because we assume it’s given genuinely (unless we are ultra-cynical).
Anyway, I would like to talk about a circumstance in which THE LAW OF RECIPROCATION is forgotten but very necessary.
Why is it that when Jesus Christ gives us his life, we don’t give him ours? Isn’t it our nature to reciprocate? Or is the law of reciprocation merely based on the benefits we expect to receive later on? We are entirely willing to send people Christmas cards (even if we don’t like them that much) just because we know that when December 25th rolls around next time, we will get something back.
When God calls us to give our lives for him, we are scared because we know the life he’s going to give us is not desirable. But know that if you give Him your life, you will get a new one in return. One that is led by God and more fulfilling than the one you gave up.
So what does this all mean? I can’t say I’ve given God my everything yet. But if you think you understand THE LAW OF RECIPROCATION like I did, think again. We even fall short at a simple game of “Monkey See, Monkey Do.” Please join me in finding out why we can’t reciprocate in giving our lives to Jesus, even though he has given his to us.
