The Law Of Reciprocity
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
NIV
[3] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, [4] who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
That the Universe operates on laws is an undeniable fact, a closer look at events and developments confirms this belief.
You’ve either seen, heard or experienced the law “ action and reaction are equal and opposite. What a man sows, the same he reaps, trees produce after their kind, What we do to others shall be done to us etc etc what goes around, comes around! These are just a few
The same law of reciprocity applies concerning our spiritual lives, that we are blessed to bless, comforted to comfort, saved to save, and delivered to deliver.
Regardless of what status or position we hold in life we are duty-bound to reciprocate! For example, God blesses us and we in return bless Him. The Mighty blesses the Lesser and the Lesser also blesses the Mighty This Law applies to all and sundry.
Take the example of blessing, most are ignorant of the fact that this law applies to blessings also , we’ve always held the belief that only God can bless forgetting that we can and must also bless Him Read these few verses ;
Psalms 103
KJV
1+ Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2+ Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Psalms 103
KJV
22+ Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.
When we give back to God what He gave us, we are blessing Him. When we return to Him the praises He heaped on us, we are blessing Him When we return to Him whatever He gave or do for us, we are fulfilling the Law of reciprocity
This is how we are kept in sync and in fellowship with God. The law of reciprocity if kept helps retain both spiritual and human relationships and makes the two bonds stronger.
1 John 1
KJV
7+ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Ask yourself why my friendship with you is strong, weak or nonexistent at all? It’s because we either keep and apply the Law of reciprocity or not at all!
When I was down you lifted me, when you were down I lifted you. When you needed a shoulder to lean on mine was there for you! You did the same to me!
In my bereavement, you were there to comfort and console me, in like manner I did the same to you in your hour of distress and discomfort.
Relationships are born, nurtured, maintained and sustained to the degree that the law of reciprocity is obeyed and applied. Take it or leave this is the principle be it spiritual or physical
The prophet Amos expressed the law of reciprocity in these words
Amos 3
KJV
3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
If a relationship is weak or does not exist at all, the root cause is not far check how you are applying the law of reciprocity!
The greatest enemies to the law of reciprocity are selfishness, greed, envy, and hate not forgetting jealousy; where these abound this law can not work. These are toxic elements that pollute the soul and the mind.
In case you’ve still not grasped the meaning of the word “ reciprocity “ here it is ;
“The definition of “reciprocity” is a mutual exchange between at least two participants in which each party receives an immediate or future benefit”.
“Reciprocity is the exchange of favors or assistance between two or more individuals or groups with the expectation of all parties benefiting from the exchange.”
(Source Web Dictionary)
A word to the wise is enough, a phrase to a fool is meaningless!