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Service
The Seventh-day Adventist outreach to the world historically has held two basic branches of ministry: teaching/preaching and healing/helping. They represent the two major tasks of Jesus’ ministry (see Matt. 9:35 and Acts 10:38). Furthermore, for many people throughout the world, Seventh-day Adventists are known by their health and humanitarian work.
At the same time, these powerful branches have become quite institutionalized in many places. As a result, the ordinary member may fail to engage directly in these ministries. Some provide financial support; others leave these ministries to the professionals; and some, unfortunately, even view them with indifference. In the end, many do not become directly involved in the task of going “around doing good” and thus miss a tremendous blessing. Why? Because there is a great personal blessing that comes from ministering to the needs of others. The simple practice of directly sharing with the needy or of helping someone sick or simply of attentively listening to others’ problems will result in great blessing to the one doing the ministering. There’s something wired in us, something not totally eradicated by six thousand years of sin, that makes us feel good, even whole, when we serve others.
Read Matthew 25:34–46. What is Jesus saying to us here? What does this mean in the light of Ephesians 2:8, 9?
Salvation cannot be by works. If it were, nobody would be saved. God’s grace manifested by the sacrifice of Jesus in our behalf is the only means of salvation. At the same time, personal acceptance of God’s grace does produce good works, and these works reveal the reality of our walk with God. The good works we do should be a direct result of knowing that we already have salvation in Jesus, as a result of His works for us. Works are the natural outgrowth of being saved, not a means of getting saved. How crucial that we keep that important distinction always before us.
Meanwhile, there’s a tremendous emotional and spiritual blessing for those who, out of thankfulness to God for the salvation they have in Jesus, give of themselves to others. Many people struggling with emotional issues would feel so much better merely by directing their thoughts off of themselves and onto others.
Unhappy, unsatisfied? Most likely it’s because you’re too self-absorbed. Get involved in helping others and see what happens.
| WEDNESDAY | March 23 |
The Seventh-day Adventist outreach to the world historically has held two basic branches of ministry: teaching/preaching and healing/helping. They represent the two major tasks of Jesus’ ministry (see Matt. 9:35 and Acts 10:38). Furthermore, for many people throughout the world, Seventh-day Adventists are known by their health and humanitarian work.
At the same time, these powerful branches have become quite institutionalized in many places. As a result, the ordinary member may fail to engage directly in these ministries. Some provide financial support; others leave these ministries to the professionals; and some, unfortunately, even view them with indifference. In the end, many do not become directly involved in the task of going “around doing good” and thus miss a tremendous blessing. Why? Because there is a great personal blessing that comes from ministering to the needs of others. The simple practice of directly sharing with the needy or of helping someone sick or simply of attentively listening to others’ problems will result in great blessing to the one doing the ministering. There’s something wired in us, something not totally eradicated by six thousand years of sin, that makes us feel good, even whole, when we serve others.
Read Matthew 25:34–46. What is Jesus saying to us here? What does this mean in the light of Ephesians 2:8, 9?
Salvation cannot be by works. If it were, nobody would be saved. God’s grace manifested by the sacrifice of Jesus in our behalf is the only means of salvation. At the same time, personal acceptance of God’s grace does produce good works, and these works reveal the reality of our walk with God. The good works we do should be a direct result of knowing that we already have salvation in Jesus, as a result of His works for us. Works are the natural outgrowth of being saved, not a means of getting saved. How crucial that we keep that important distinction always before us.
Meanwhile, there’s a tremendous emotional and spiritual blessing for those who, out of thankfulness to God for the salvation they have in Jesus, give of themselves to others. Many people struggling with emotional issues would feel so much better merely by directing their thoughts off of themselves and onto others.
Unhappy, unsatisfied? Most likely it’s because you’re too self-absorbed. Get involved in helping others and see what happens.
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