Although it seems obvious, it struck me afresh that charity is love that is put into action. I suppose that is why God loves a cheerful giver, the one who gives out of love for others as He gives out of love for us. Not wanting to step on doctrinal toes but Jesus was God's charity to us, literally with boots on the ground; for God so loved the world He gave His only begotten son. Grace also is God's charity toward us because it is a gift through faith Eph 2:8. Then salvation is God's charity, for by grace are we saved. Love may start as a feeling, thought or attitude but it is manifested by our charitable actions. I see forgiveness, at least on our end, as a charitable act when it is a gift and there is no expectation of any return. For we know we can only control our own actions, and we have no control over the reactions of others. Therefore, when we act in kindness and get a re-action of hate then our chose is to repeat their hateful action or to act anew in kindness. Because a negative reaction by one usually causes an escalated negative action by the other. By acting out of the fruits of the spirit, we are also planting seeds because as we are told in Genesis fruit has in it the seeds of its own kind. I suppose in like manner, the bitter fruits of the flesh can carry bitter seed of its kind too. Well, my point is that to be charitable we must put our boots on the ground and love others as God loves us.
Your Love Has Lifted Me Higher by Jackie Wilson