Ready to Demonstrate??

We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 1 John 3:16 NASB

We are in a Lenten season where we focus as individuals and Church on Christ's sacrifice for us in the cross of Calvary. My prayer is that God would help us to have an enhanced view in this season as we become His witness and carry the gospel of love effectively. The first part of theme verse overwhelms us with gratitude and commitment knowing that God laid down His life for us and it is the core message of salvation. It says in Roman's (5:8) "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.". The Bible would have been just a set of philosophy if it had confined itself only to love, goodness and virtues of life without demonstration. The latter part of the theme verse (1 John 3:16) says we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. It is a strong demand and not just a cordial suggestion to demonstrate our love by ministering to the needs of people. 

In 1 John, Apostle John clarifies on our responses and responsibility towards the people who are needy.  It is said in the same theme verse “.. whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth." 1 John 3:17-18. The early Church demonstrated it and set a model for us. It says in the book of Acts that they brought all the resources and laid it in the feet of apostles which included selling of their properties. How are we demonstrating our love today? Is it just with niceties of conversation like" God loves you" and "I am praying for you"? Yes, we do understand that we need to affirm and intercede for people, but is there a higher ground in demonstrating it? There are so many people we can find all over, including in our Churches, who are desperately trying to make end's meet for their family each day. Most of the time we don’t even know about it and sometimes we think we are helpless and rationalize it as God’s business to help them.

  

Mother Teresa quotes "Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the grace we have received and not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work" and she further quotes by saying "one of the greatest diseases is to be nobody to somebody. ". I have heard people argue I have just enough for my family and if my status gets better maybe I will. Likewise, small Churches wait for a better status or for structured resources. My strong conviction is that you are called to give, help and render your service from the condition you are at present.

Your demonstration may not always include your money though it is significantly inclusive of the resources. The gospel of Mathew records Jesus saying, if someone asks you to accompany him for one mile, go with him an extra one, where does money picture in here? and then He further instructs "Give him who asks you and not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you" (Matthew 5:42). There are myriads of ways you can start demonstrating the gospel of Love. Are you out there for people who need support?

Blessings,

David Raj