I have often wondered why many of us and our churches aren't in the forefront of social concerns. The evangelicals of the 18th and 19th centuries, both in Britain and America were immersed in the preaching of the gospel along with being involved in socio-political issues. The confusion over the Christian role in modern society calls for deeper study and action. We must indeed take an active part in social service and go beyond, to social action. John Stott in his book 'New issues facing Christians today' illustrates social action by the example of people being attacked on the Jerusalem -Jericho road. Good Samaritans reaching out to the battered travellers, fulfill an immediate need and provide social service. While being important, social action would go beyond and seek to eliminate the root cause by working to provide better lighting on the road and take some measures to tackle armed robbery. These days, I pray, God raises up more people who would influence policy-making in our beloved land.
So, then we are without excuse, to be a part of social service, social action and social reform. While each one's specialist calling and ministry may differ, we are all called to serve, as the Body Of Christ. Jesus went about preaching and teaching...healing and doing good works. We must share His compassion for the poor, the needy and the oppressed. "Is that not what knowing Me is about?" the book of Isaiah puts a disturbing question.
Jesus Himself left the comfort of heaven and came down among us, sharing and entering into the lives of the poor, the destitute, the fatherless, the homeless, those in need of comfort or a timely word. Service to the less-privileged must result from the understanding that all human beings have an intrinsic worth because they are made in the image of God. Man is body and soul. We believe in the transforming, life-changing power of the Gospel and also reach out to meet the practical needs of those we minister to. We must share Christ's heart for the suffering, be willing to step out of our safety nets and not be content with our own private fellowships of like-minded people ; lest we turn our church into a social club, where people with a common interest meet.
God is sovereign. He is God of the church as well as of the nations. Let us not make the same mistake Israel did, when they changed the sovereign, all-powerful, supreme, living God into an exclusive deity. A tribal God in the ark of the covenant.
Evangelism and good works must go hand-in-hand. Life-transforming faith produces good works, best illustrated by Jesus' example of the sheep and the goats on the day of judgement. A good work done for the least one, in the name of Christ, Jesus considers as being done for Him. A poem writen by a homeless lady who went to a bishop for help, who promises to pray for her, goes thus:
I was hungry
and you formed a humanities group to discuss my hunger.
I was imprisoned
and you crept off quietly to your chapel and prayed for my release.
I was naked,
and in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance.
I was sick,
and you knelt and thanked God for your health.
I was homeless,
and you preached to me of the spiritual shelter of the love of God.
I was lonely
and you left me alone to pray for me.
You seem so holy, so close to God
but I am still very hungry-and lonely-and cold.
I must be willing, then, to get my hands worn for service.
(Recommended resource: John Stott - New issues facing Christians today).
So, then we are without excuse, to be a part of social service, social action and social reform. While each one's specialist calling and ministry may differ, we are all called to serve, as the Body Of Christ. Jesus went about preaching and teaching...healing and doing good works. We must share His compassion for the poor, the needy and the oppressed. "Is that not what knowing Me is about?" the book of Isaiah puts a disturbing question.
Jesus Himself left the comfort of heaven and came down among us, sharing and entering into the lives of the poor, the destitute, the fatherless, the homeless, those in need of comfort or a timely word. Service to the less-privileged must result from the understanding that all human beings have an intrinsic worth because they are made in the image of God. Man is body and soul. We believe in the transforming, life-changing power of the Gospel and also reach out to meet the practical needs of those we minister to. We must share Christ's heart for the suffering, be willing to step out of our safety nets and not be content with our own private fellowships of like-minded people ; lest we turn our church into a social club, where people with a common interest meet.
God is sovereign. He is God of the church as well as of the nations. Let us not make the same mistake Israel did, when they changed the sovereign, all-powerful, supreme, living God into an exclusive deity. A tribal God in the ark of the covenant.
Evangelism and good works must go hand-in-hand. Life-transforming faith produces good works, best illustrated by Jesus' example of the sheep and the goats on the day of judgement. A good work done for the least one, in the name of Christ, Jesus considers as being done for Him. A poem writen by a homeless lady who went to a bishop for help, who promises to pray for her, goes thus:
I was hungry
and you formed a humanities group to discuss my hunger.
I was imprisoned
and you crept off quietly to your chapel and prayed for my release.
I was naked,
and in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance.
I was sick,
and you knelt and thanked God for your health.
I was homeless,
and you preached to me of the spiritual shelter of the love of God.
I was lonely
and you left me alone to pray for me.
You seem so holy, so close to God
but I am still very hungry-and lonely-and cold.
I must be willing, then, to get my hands worn for service.
(Recommended resource: John Stott - New issues facing Christians today).
3 comments:
Forget the rest of society. As they say charity begins at home. I wish we christians had the patience to make place for fellow brethern in our homes. U know stuff like givin someone a place to stay if they r in town for coupla days (and not just to ur relatives), maybe make someone who is new to the city comfortable, u know something like a dinner or something, arrange small get-togethers/parties in addition to ur weeekly church meetings, find out who may be goign thru a low in their lives and offer a shoulder.
if we just start with small things like this the rest will definitely follow i believe
Yes, there are little ways in which we can show the love of Christ to those around us. Thanks for your comment.
I agree with you Ajin...totally, these thoughts crossed my mind too...I was dissatisfied as a result with the weekly church humdrum...but I think I can't blame people around me...I later observed that there are people doing social work...but in todays world, time is crucial...the lack of time numbs us from the need to take up such action...Another place that I think we must step into is POLITICAL GOVERNANCE, a field long considered corrupt by the likes of the church...I've been stirred at times by Isaiah 58 too...but all I can say is that, whoever has to do something about this has to start something concrete...I'm still not sure how...when I look at the enormity of the crisis in the world today, I can get depressed, but for God...Sudan, Vidarbha, Chattisgarh...what do we say, what do we do, how can we do something about this...we need something concrete to start with cause people are too busy...I wonder how many of us vote? - Benjamin (I came across your blog on your profile when I checked an invitation to the community - CHRIST)
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