We are as a church encouraged to continue through the prompting of the Holy Spirit to see the opportunities to show others that God is real and can meet needs in our lives. As James, the brother of Jesus, said of God's Word in James 1:22, "22And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. If you don't obey, you are only fooling yourself." (NLT) We are encouraged not only hear the Word of God but to DO the Word of God. And the Apostle Paul advised in Galatians 6:1-3, "1Dear brothers and sisters, if another Christian* is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2Share each other’s troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3If you think you are too important to help someone in need, you are only fooling yourself. You are really a nobody." (NLT)
No Christian should ever think that he or she is totally independent and doesn’t need help from others, and no one should feel excused from the task of helping others. The body of Christ—the church—functions only when the members work together for the common good.
Do you know someone who needs help?
Is there a Christian brother or sister who needs correction or encouragement?
Humbly and gently reach out to that person as in Ephesians 2:19-22,19So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. 20We are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. 21We who believe are carefully joined together, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22Through him you Gentiles are also joined together as part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit." (NLT)
A church building is sometimes called God’s house. In reality, God’s household is not a building but a group of people. He lives in us and shows himself to a watching world through us. People can see that God is love and that Christ is Lord as we live in harmony with each other and in accordance with what God says in his Word. We are citizens of God’s Kingdom and members of his household. As described in Colossians 3:16,"16Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts." (NLT)
The Good News is so desperately needed in our world and community today. Slow down, look around, listen to, and share with all who need to hear and experience it.