Evangelical. Sometimes we ask ourselves: “But what if we serve and nothing happens? What if we do all this and they don’t respond? What if we spend all this money for a community event and no one comes to know the Lord or becomes a member of our church?” A pastor confessed to me that one of the hardest things about his church’s ministry to the community is to work all day cleaning up a man’s yard without being thanked.
Some people will say they’ve never experienced such love before, some will indeed receive Christ, and some will even become vibrant leaders in the church, but a lot of people will simply have no response to your service. That’s OK, it’s all happened before.
Jesus knelt with a cloth and pitcher of water. Having loved his own… he now showed them the full extent of his love. He washed his disciples’ feet, his last recorded act of service before the Cross. What did one have to do to deserve a foot washing? Have faith? If so, Jesus should have skipped Thomas. Demonstrate loyalty? Well, then he should have passed by Peter. Behave honestly? Then he should have skipped Judas, the one who would betray him. No, he would wash the feet of all — the act was about Jesus, not them. Service is truly service only when it is done without the expectation of repayment.
Knowing that only one of the ten lepers whom he would heal would return to give thanks did not prevent Jesus from healing the other nine. Healing was what the Father called him to do, whether people thanked him or not.
Knowing that only one of the ten lepers whom he would heal would return to give thanks did not prevent Jesus from healing the other nine. Healing was what the Father called him to do, whether people thanked him or not.
The Apostle Paul reminds us, Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people.
Good deeds help those in need. Good deeds can engender the goodwill of the city. Good deeds can get people to think and be willing to hear more. Good deeds can elicit amazement and cause people to say “Wow!” Good deeds can draw people into your church and into relationships with Christians. Good deeds can be the bridge or the road, but they are not the saving message that crosses that bridge or travels that road. Good deeds are the complement but never the substitute for good news. So continue to do good deeds and be prepared with the good message regardless how often you may have to share it!
