Tuesday, March 13, 2012

A Cause For Love: Part 2

"We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God." ~ 1 John 3:16-19

"Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work." ~ 2 Timothy 2:21

So yesterday, I asked you the question, "What are you doing with your time?" I didn't mean this it in a negative sense to say we have failed if we are not on the mission field or giving hundreds of dollars to a charity. I want us to simply ask ourselves this question to evaluate the time we have been given from God. Every moment we have here on earth is a blessing. Sometimes when I am in prayer and I have had to ask for forgiveness, I remember some of the people in the Old Testament who were immediately killed for sinning against God. I thank God for his mercy each and every day because there is nothing like it. Each day is a gift from Him, so we should use it for the cause He has given each one of us.

With the time we have left here on earth, what are we doing for the cause of Christ? Are we sharing the gospel with our unsaved friends? Are we giving those who need a helping hand what they need? This is what I think Scripture has taught us. It is to love each other. It is to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. This applies to our neighbors next door in need for Jesus and even our neighbors in Sudan who need prayer.  This is why I think it is important we don't form this protective bubble of Christian friends who at worst will make your blood boil over a debate of what a passage from Scripture teachings. There is a real world out there. Human trafficking, addictions, insecurities, and overall a need for love. So when I see videos and links on Facebook, or else where, from people who are fighting for causes we Christians should be passionately pursuing in the name of Christ, I'm thinking, "What is our deal?"

Let me say first, not all of us will have the same cause or issue pressed upon our hearts. One person may want to help people in Africa know about Christ while another may want to help teach children in a Sunday school. Check out 1 Corinthians 12 for more on that. Second, I'm a little skeptical of some charities and non-profit organizations, as I am sure you maybe too. There's always something off about them whether it be UNICEF somehow contributing to the one-child policy in China or the budgeting behind Invisible Children's video Kony 2012. So this is what I believe we should do as Christians and what I believe Scripture tells us we can do to help our fellowman, even at a distance, whether it be through a charity or not. First we must seek God (Matt. 6:33). In doing so, we will know where to put our God given time and energy in this world. How, you may ask? Read 2 Timothy 2:21 again. We are his vessel used to do his good work. We wouldn't be wasting out time anymore if we start seeking and obeying God! Imagine if God gave someone a heart to reach those caught up in slavery in Sudan, so they went over seas to help rescue missions. And then God gave another person a heart to reach people on Wall Street, so they went and shared the good news there. Then another person was given the heart to pay for the travel expense of these two Christians. And so on and so forth.

If us Christians really put forth our foot, money, time, and effort, I think we could all do great things in the name of Christ. I can say for myself, growing up in a non-Christian home and being surrounded by many people who either are open to my faith or debate it, I have a heart for the unsaved. I love being able to tell people about my faith. Not just that, but living out my faith and talking about issues in the world from a Biblical perspective and being a witness in all those realms. I think in some way God uses where we are before and after we are saved to be a witness to others. I draw from my past to be a witness to others as well as understanding others. I'm telling you this because perhaps that is where God will have you start to work for him. Look around you and see the people God has given you to be his hands and feet. We don't have to travel to India and physically be there to help stop child slave labor, but we can do numerous things including praying and/or contributing to funds to help stop the issue. God will help you decide what you should give or do (2 Corinthians 9:7). Never forget that the spirit which raised Christ from the dead is the same one within us, so clearly we have power, strength, and everything else we need to do his good and perfect will in our lives. Doing the cause for Christ, and in love, our time can never be wasted.


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