Readings for such a time as this(5): - from: The Warfare of the Spirit: Religious Ritual Versus the Presence of the Indwelling Christ, by A.W. Tozer ______________ The Art of Doing Good Unobtrusively—Part I We Are Called to Do Good From the Bible and from the example of Christ it is clear that Christians are here on earth to do good. One passage tells us that Christ went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him (Acts 10:38). In addition to His healing ministry and His work of instructing in the truth, He engaged in another kind of activity which the Spirit calls simply doing good. As he is, so are we in this world (1 John 4:17b). We who call ourselves by His name are under obligation to imitate Him in His deeds of kindness. In current Christian teaching it is usually assumed that the works we are called to do are miracles. It is a lot easier to apply every passage that speaks of good works to something big and dramatic than to accept it as meaning some plain, humble task of mercy such as clothing the naked and feeding the hungry. We of the evangelical fold are much more easily persuaded to pray all night for God to do a miracle than to put on our work clothes and help a neighbor. Without doubt there are activities that take precedence over works of charity. One is the work of witnessing to the grace and power of God as expressed through Jesus Christ. This is set forth in Acts 1:8, But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me. A second work the Christian is called upon to do is that of setting a holy example before an unholy world. Ye are the light of the world.... Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14a, 16) In accord with this Paul exhorted his friend Timothy, Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in faith, in purity (1 Timothy 4:12). The third responsibility the Christian has toward his fellow believer and toward the world is to do, in the language of another, all the good you can, to all the people you can, in all the ways you can, as long as ever you can. The Scriptures present a charming picture of the ideal woman, and one feature present is the practice of good works. Lemuels description of a virtuous woman in the thirty-first chapter of Proverbs shows us one who is not only morally pure, but hard working and industrious too, and along with her housewifely activities she manages also to do many good works for others: She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy (Proverbs 31:20). Paul required that the women believers in the early Church adorn themselves with modest apparel and good works (1 Timothy 2:9-10). Before an elderly woman could be put on the list of widows (obviously received into the first Christian home for the aged), it had to be shown not only that she had professed to be a Christian but that she was well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work (5:10). The test of good works, which Paul laid down for the women, applies as well to men. In a passage obviously addressed to men the apostle exhorts that they Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate. (6:17-18) Some Christians feel little or no sympathy for those outside the fold. Let it be suggested that help be granted to some unfortunate human and the question is instantly asked, Is he a Christian? or Is he worthy of our assistance? This attitude is wrong for a number of reasons and altogether beneath those who call themselves by the sacred name of Christ. If we are to help only the worthy, who then can qualify? The Christian can hide his goods away with a pure conscience, safe in the knowledge that he would help the poor if he could find any worthy of it. The moth and rust would qualify, to be sure, and they will get them at last; in the meantime the happy believer can sing hymns and distribute tracts while the poor ask for bread and there is none and little children cry themselves to sleep at night with no one to comfort them. In the sixth chapter of his Galatian epistle Paul settled forever the scope of our Christian responsibility: As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith (Galatians 6:10). This is in harmony with the truth found in the widely known story of the Good Samaritan, where it is established that our neighbor is anyone who needs us, whether or not he is of our kin or nationality. I do not see how we can escape the force of this double witness; and to tell the truth, I do not believe any honest person can. That we should do good in Christs name no one can deny. How to do it without letting our right hand know what our left hand is doing (Matthew 6:3) is an art not many have managed to learn. - via WORDsearch10 #readingsforsuchatimeasthis #christjesus #vineofchristministries #theword #studyscripture #god #biblestudy #bible #jesus #faith #tozer
Posted on: Sat, 04 Oct 2014 00:46:01 +0000
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