When Jesus walked the earth, he healed the sick. He raised the dead. He cured the blind and the lame. He healed lepers, the outcasts of society. Jesus was never afraid of touching the “untouchables” and loving the “unlovables.” He was often criticized by the hypocritical Pharisees for his close proximity to the poor, disenfranchised, sinners and publicans. (Matt 9:10-13)
Today, we as Christians proudly bear His Name yet we have distanced ourselves from the problems of society. We tell the poor about a God who cares, but we leave them hungering for bread (James 2:14-20). How are they supposed to believe that we have had an experience with God ourselves if our character does not reveal it? To many people, our lives will be the only Bible they read.
God created us for good works that His Name may be glorified. What are we doing instead? Dragging His precious Name through the mud perhaps? The sad lack of outreach and service programmes at local church level reveals our need for revival and reformation. Are we busy with the Great Commission or have we become stagnant? Are we perhaps focusing a bit too much on in-reach at the expense of the Gospel Commission?
Our activity reveals the reality of our faith. Jesus said that whatever good we do for the least of His people, we have done unto Him. This begs the question then: what are we doing for Him? Since we are doing nothing for His people, we are doing nothing for Him. What will He say to us when He returns? Will He even recognize us or will He sadly dismiss us, having not known us? Will He describe with disappointment the times when we saw Him hungry and did not feed Him, naked and didn’t clothe Him, sick and didn’t visit Him? (Matt 25:33-46)
Although our works don’t save us, this is no excuse not to participate in good works that leave this world in a better state than we found it. We are the light of the world. We are the salt of the earth. If our light is hidden or we lose our saltiness, of what use are we except to be trodden underfoot by men? (Matt 5:13-16)
The end will only come when the Gospel of the Kingdom goes out into the entire world. Are you tired of the inequities in this world? Let’s help usher in God’s Kingdom of Righteousness. Get involved in outreach today! Touch humanity like Jesus did. Love like Him.
