Rich Bailey is pastor of Curry’s Chapel Church.
In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and will praise your Father in heaven.
— Matthew 5:16 (NCV)
Jesus came into the world to bridge the great chasm introduced into the world by the original sin of Adam and Eve. And He came to restore hope to humans via grace. As a part of Jesus’ ministry, He came to bring life to a largely spiritually dead world.
In today’s world many have lost hope, peace, joy and love, thus becoming spiritually destroyed by loosing focus on God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
In 1 John 2:6 we are told “Anyone who claims to be a Christian is obliged to live the same life He lived” (Cotton Patch Gospel). John is telling us here we are expected, even obligated, to live and serve as Jesus did.
Again, in 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul tells us, “And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ” (NLT). John and Paul both are being clear that as followers of Jesus Christ there is an expectation to serve.
BEING A LIFE-GIVER
In essence, Jesus calls us to serve and encourage one another as a way to be life-giving. Our calling or expectation to serve goes beyond fellow believers and extends to all peoples. The Bible tells us in Matthew, “Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘My father has blessed you! Come and receive the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world was created. When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed me, and when I was naked, you gave me clothes to wear. When I was sick, you took care of me, and when I was in jail, you visited me’” (Matthew 25:34–36 CEV).
“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’” (Matthew 25:37–40 NLT).
SERVING OTHERS
There are a large number of ways to serve and encourage those around you. You come across different people every day: Family, friends, neighbors, classmates, teachers, pastors, people at church, doctors, dentists, the clerk at the grocery store — the list is endless! Serving others provides an incredible opportunity to share the love of Christ.
There’s much to say on this topic — more than can fit into one column. So we’ll continue to next week, when we’ll talk about knowing what your spiritual gifts are and using them.
Rich Bailey is pastor of Curry’s Chapel Church. This weekly column is written by local clergy members.
