1 Corinthians 13, John 4:7-30, Exodus 20
Everyone who was raised in Sunday School or most any church background will know that 1 Corinthians 13 is the "love" or "charity" chapter, depending on which Bible translation they were taught from. Everyone knows that love is the greatest gift, and that the Bible speaks often of God's love for us or Jesus' love poured out on the cross. It is only by the love of God that we are even able to have His Word written for us and it is only through this Word that we have hope of salvation and a road map to eternity in heaven. So, why would I propose that charity could ever be a distraction?
I start with the example of Jesus, talking to the woman at the well. Jesus knew her malady, he knew her sin. Jesus spoke to her in an earthly discussion, He brought up a discussion and then brought it around from the natural to the supernatural. He spoke of water, which we all need to live. Our bodies are designed by God with a distinct, undeniable need for water. Our souls are designed with a specific need also, that of the living water Jesus spoke to the lady about.
Jesus, after asking a few questions, getting the know this woman, began opening up about her sinful ways, and her need for a Savior from that sin. He brought about the knowledge of sin from the Old Testament and the 10 commandments in Exodus 20. Upon being told about God and the truth(which Jesus is the truth) she realized that He was not talking about natural water, but of spiritual matters. He revealed Himself as the Messiah, and told her "I that speak to you am He"
This must have blown her away, either this guy was crazy or he was right. She chose to believe that Jesus was who he said he was. She then went and told the whole city of what Jesus had told her and done for her. What a great reminder of what it means to be saved, to be cleansed from sin and made whole again.
From this and other examples in the life of Jesus, we do not see anything about bringing people in with food pantries, soup kitchens, clothing drives, or basketball games. We see Jesus talking honestly and in person to someone he cared about. Jesus did not personally know this woman, nor had he shared months in conversation getting to know her, He just out and out told her that she was a sinner( a fact she would not dispute) and offer her the truth of Messiah, salvation, and eternal life. Why would we think that John was instructed by God to put this story into God's Word unless it was to be an example to us of how to go about the work God has called us to do?
So, what is so bad about charity work? Nothing at all. My contention is that we often, as the body of Christ, get distracted with programs designed to get people in, make them comfortable, and enjoying themselves, that we forget why we wanted them in the building. These programs, when used to show God's love and then show them God's salvation, are great. It is when we throw the salvation part out(or put it in the back seat saving it for when folks are comfortable) that we are on a dangerous road, a wide road that leads to destruction. I fear the destruction we will see is the ineffectiveness of the church in the world. We have been watching the decline of morality for years and tried to treat the symptoms, but without addressing the cause. We can cure drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, abortion, homosexuality, and a host of other societal ills only when we bring the knowledge of sin about and offer the gift of salvation to all that will accept.
We often are told to invite people to church, but often we do so to make ourselves feel better about not personally witnessing to folks we meet or know. I have heard the argument often "we have a pastor who is paid to do this, he is supposed to preach the Gospel and that is how people will get saved." This is a load of hogwash. Jesus, in Matthew 28 didn't tell those in attendance to pick someone who would be in charge, bring unsaved folks to him, and he will tell them about Jesus. He told them to GO, personally, and preach to every creature.
How many of those we invite to church will never come? How many that we have opportunity to speak with will not take the invitation to come, and so we may be the only chance they have to hear the Gospel? How many souls have been forever lost due to the disregard of God's people for sinners headed for hell?
What I see happening more and more, and what I have read recently in a book (which no one should buy or bother to read) that someone had given me is that we should have more programs designed to meet "felt needs" so that people will feel comfortable in the church, not threatened or scared by consequence of God's judgment. Instead, the book "The next American spirituality" by George Gallup(the pollster), tells of how churches should survey the community, find out what their needs are, and do their best to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, and shelter the homeless. He never mentions their eternal destiny. He does not speak of getting folks in and helping them with the burden of sin they are carrying all the way to hell.
The book is about charity without love, feed the hungry so they can die and go to hell tomorrow. Clothe the naked so they can freeze to death and go to hell next week. Never mind their spiritual condition, which is their ONLY TRUE NEED! If you give someone a home to live in, maybe they will ask you about why you are different. Garbage, I say! If they don't know you are different by the words you say, and your genuine care for their eternal salvation, then you are missing a bit of what Jesus was saying.
I note that Jesus did not draw physical water for this woman, nor did he provide her with a home to live in so she would stop living in adultery. He provided "living water" that changed her life, saved her soul, and was so contagious that she went and spread that word to everyone she saw. When we see people dying headed for hell, why are we not doing something about it? Many times it is due to the lack of love(true love) we have for others. If we love someone, do we want them to go to hell for eternity? If not, we had better put our love into practice and start the business of winning souls for Christ.
Not everyone will listen, and the Holy Spirit must complete the work in someone's heart, but our job, our calling, and our command from God is to tell them. It is a privilege to proclaim the name of Jesus Christ, to speak of God's love for His creation. Why then do I keep hearing about evangelism as some task to be scared of, or something that "just isn't my calling"? I think that many don't want to have to suffer for God's calling. I know that in my own life it is easier to just do what everyone else does, but that will not please God. I want to please God in my own life and I hope that others will join me in this quest. Let's get moving, people!
Mark
