And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. 2 Corinthians 8:5-8

When Jesus was asked what was the greatest commandment, Jesus replied “Love The Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, this is the greatest commandment” (Matthew 22:37-38) Then Jesus said “The second commandment is to “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39) To put simply Love God and People, of course God should always come first before people

This is a foundation for the entire Ten Commandments, every command hinges on Love God or Love Neighbor. And this should be the foundation for our Church, our ministry, our families, everything we do should be centered around this. This is a radical shift from the Mosaic Covenant, “An Eye for a Eye and Tooth for a Tooth” (Exodus 21:24) Jesus revealed further understanding as we are now to “turn the other cheek”, and even “love our enemies” in the New Covenant (Matthew 5) This takes “Loving our Neighbor” to a new level

Now compare this with what Paul is revealing to us in these scriptures “But first gave their own selves to The Lord” We first see the demonstration of Love God by the Church, their first priority is they dedicated their lives to The Lord. This should be the first step in our walk with Christ, we start by committing our lives to Christ, we were bought with a price by the blood of Jesus Christ ( 1 Cor. 6:20)

Then notice what the Church did according to Paul “And unto us (Church) by the will of God” So first the Church dedicated their lives to Christ, they Love God, and then being obedient to Christ, they loved others, this should be the model for every Church to follow

Then we see the fruits of the Holy Spirit working in the Church, the Apostle Paul says “Therefor you abound in everything, in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in diligence, in your love to us” These are fruits produced by the Church, evidence of the Holy Spirit , if a Christian or Church is not producing any fruit, is there any evidence of the Holy Spirit? (Matthew 7)

Notice how Pauls end it here “I’m not speaking by commandment” Paul didn’t have to command the Church to do these things, it’s the Holy Spirit working in them, it’s evidence of fruit. “Prove the sincerity of your love” These were authentic Born Again Christians, why? Because their fruit demonstrates that they truly Love God and Love their Neighbor in Jesus name Amen!