Posted on 10/18/2018 5:39:33 AM PDT by Gamecock
Being Christ to Your Neighbor The book of Acts records a curious phenomenon: “On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria… . Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went” (8:1, 4, NIV).
It is clear that all of the believers, save the apostolic leaders, were scattered. Those who were scattered (the whole church) went about preaching the Word.
Christians must participate in the ministry of the church, and every Christian must endeavor “to be Christ to his neighbor.” To be Christ to your neighbor is not to be your neighbor’s lord and savior. Rather, it is to be Christ’s representative to your neighbor. We are to represent the mercy and ministry of Jesus to all who are around us.
We do not need volunteers driven by guilty manipulation or looking for merits to be redeemed. Christ has taken our guilt and supplied all the merit we need. We need volunteers because in the least of His brothers, Jesus is hungry, Jesus is thirsty, Jesus is homeless, Jesus is sick, and Jesus is imprisoned. We need volunteers who love Jesus in the afflictions of His least brethren.
Coram Deo
In what ways can you be Jesus to your neighbor? What are you doing for the hungry, thirsty, homeless, or imprisoned?
Passages for Further Study
Matthew 25:35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, yI was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
Ping
“in the least of His brothers”
I think this needs to be applied with discernment and wisdom from the Holy Spirit.
who are the least?
Our neighborhoods and country are increasingly more full of people acting as if they cannot do any better, meaning self made problems. I at times allowed myself to be sucked into helping people who were just takers, not really the least of His brothers, but more like satans brothers not wanting to be changed by God or do any better, just leeches.
Jesus even had times he did not help people, so I now see it as I am meant to help those God inspires and too and not just to help every single person in need or even just as a kind gesture.
Sometimes in helping others we make others lose out on an opportunity to help themselves and maybe grow into faith and belief in God in the first place (first time they realize God came thru for them - I recall what an excitement that was to me “wow! He’s really listening to me and helped”) or a deeper faith and belief.
Amen. Thanks for posting. Speaks to me today where I am.
A good word indeed......Amen and amen.......
Sorry, I disagree. Onward Christian Soldiers!! Christian snowflakes melt facing a liberal Democrat neighbor, I’m for getting in their face.
Amen.
Agree
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.