PRACTICAL EXPRESSIONS OF COMPASSION
On Sunday, we learned that because Christ has provided for our eternal life upon a new earth, we should provide for one another’s lives on earth here and now. He’s given himself to us, so we give ourselves to others. This is the glorious principle at the bottom of all our benevolence. So, HOW do we embrace it and apply it today?
Here are 5 ways you can walk out your responsibility to “keep” your natural and spiritual brother, love your neighbors in need, and respond to the care of Christ.
Feel Responsible - You ARE your brother's keeper. God calls you to strive after the good of those in your home and those within the household of God. How you respond to the most vulnerable around you will reflect how much you’ve been gripped by the gospel and then it will reflect that gospel to a watching world.
Prepare to care for your aging parents - This is important for us as a young church. As believers, we need to reframe our expectations and perspectives for what it means to honor our father and mother and have them reshaped by the word of God. The care of our aging parents first and foremost belongs to us. Not even primarily the church. And certainly, is not something to be left up or entrusted to state-sponsored systems and programs. We may or may not be doing all the hands-on caregiving, but, as Philip Ryken says, “it is the responsibility of children to make sure that their parents receive the best possible care. Whenever possible, they should do the caring themselves, in their own homes.” So look to the future planning to honor your father and mother for all their days that God would bless your days.
Meet the needs of those in need - As you’re able and whenever possible, when you see a need in the life of a brother or sister around you first ask, “How has God blessed me in order to be a blessing to them? What do I have to share? Time, money, stuff, help, expertise? Is there any way I can meet this need or ease this burden?” Take it upon yourself to bear the burdens of your friends and do not look away in the hopes someone else will do it for you. Let’s be ambitious to serve one another.
Bring your needs before the church - On the flipside, when we find ourselves in need, we shouldn’t keep it to ourselves. Material needs or otherwise are not “personal problems” that we should be embarrassed to share and determined to figure out on our own. God has made us family. He wants us to receive the care of our family and not live as private people. In Christ, there are no private persons. But, we’re all one in the body. And “when one member suffers, we all suffer together,”but “if one member is honored, all rejoice together” (1 Cor 12:26).
Connect others to the ministry of our church - Finally, connect those who are, right now, outside of the house to the love and care that Christ has shown those of us who are within the house. Here are a few ways to we can bless our neighbors in need.
Share the Need Help? page - Did you know our church website has a “Need Help?” page? It connects neighbors in need to our team of deacons to receive counsel and support, gives them a way to apply for financial assistance from our church benevolence program, and provides information on all kinds of other community resources. Get familiar with this page and point your neighbors to the practical helps it offers.
Volunteer at organizations that are doing good work in our city - As you have the time and ability, volunteer with organizations that serve those who are in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction, homeless, experiencing a crisis pregnancy, fleeing abuse, foster youth, and on and on. AND, don’t just volunteer out there. Build a bridge to bring them in here. Bridge the gap to the local church. Bring these neighbors in and their needs closer to Christ and welcome them into a community that will strive to love them, receive them, preach good news to them, and adorn that proclamation of good news with good works. Providing for their needs. Offering rides to those without vehicles. Helping someone make a resume or look for work. Connecting someone to local resources. And more.
Participate in evangelism and build relationships with our neighbors - In order to bring them near to a community that is called and commissioned to “love,” not just, as the Apostle John says, “in word or talk but in deed and truth” (1 Jn 3:18). Share the gospel of the Savior who meets their greatest need. Invite them to church. Connect them to our fellowship. Labor that they would not walk alone in their struggles.
Cross of Grace Church, would we care for our natural and spiritual families. Believing that as we do, our household here will be healthy, whole, and continuously expanding as we give ourselves to those in need just as Christ has given himself to us.
