Luke 10:25-37
Believers should not have to look beyond the body of
Christ to have their needs met. We are meant to be a self-sustaining body. There
is only one way the church should to function and that is, believers must
commit to give of themselves on behalf of others.
For example, a man determines to pray and struggle
alongside a hurting brother until the burdensome situation is resolved or peace
returns. Or a woman makes herself available to answer a new Christian's
questions about the weekly sermon and the two searches the Bible and fill their
minds with Scripture. There are countless other ways to serve others, such as
driving an elderly member to the service, teaching a Sunday school class, or
visiting a weary single mom and listening to her concerns.
Before you become overwhelmed by the variety of needs in
your church, be mindful that loving each other is meant to be a body-wide
effort. One person cannot meet every need. But suppose you commit to serving a
small group of folks whom God brings into your sphere of influence. If, in
order to care for them, you surrender self-focused preferences about resources
and time, the Lord will bless you with more joy and contentment than you've
ever known.
To serve others before serving yourself is to practice
authentic Christianity. Be certain that if believers commit to meeting as many
needs as the Lord brings to their attention, then a lazy church can be
transformed, becoming a true body of believers who function together for the
glory of God.
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