I was watching TV tonight and the show mentioned gratitude being the shortest lived human emotion. I don’t know if that’s true or not, but gratitude is certainly something lacking in the world. As a Christian, I’ve heard untold numbers of sermons admonishing us to love God, serve God, and be thankful to Jesus for his ultimate sacrifice. Much less talked about is Christ’s call to love our fellow man, Christians and sinners alike. Christ forgave those who were actively killing him, and willingly gave his life–for possibly the greatest sin the world has ever seen. In that light, how much do we owe our fellow man? How much more to those who have shown us even the smallest act of kindness?

Please consider the following scripture, and I invite you to comment on others that fit the theme of graciousness, gratitude, and love toward our fellow man.

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God… Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” — 1 John 4:7, 11

“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.” Romans 12:16

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” — John 13:34

“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” — 1 Peter 3:15

“With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love” — Ephesians 4:2

“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” –John 13:14

“Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” — Colossians 3:13

“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” — Romans 12:10

“For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.” 1 John 3:11

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:2

“Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another,” — 1 Thessalonians 4:9

“Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ” — Ephesians 5:21

“Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” — Romans 15:7

“Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” — 1 Peter 4:9

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” — 1 Timothy 6:17-19

“See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:15

“And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,” — 1 Thessalonians 3:12

“But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.” — Galatians 5:15

“Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.” — Romans 14:13

“Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.” — Romans 14:19

“If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow…In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.” — Matthew 5:40-42,45