Too Busy, Too Bad: Service in the Name of Christ

What does it mean to be a Christian? In a word: Service.

Jesus had compassion on the masses (Matthew 9:36), because they had followed Him and were hungry. So He fed them. That was a service. He had compassion on the sick who were brought to Him (Matthew 14:14). So He healed them. That was a service. Throughout scripture we are encouraged, exhorted, and commanded to do good works, which involves serving the needs of our neighbors. Fortunately the bible gets pretty specific when it comes to ‘good works’. Obey the ruling authorities; speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing humility to all men (Titus 3:1). Meet urgent needs (Titus 3:14). Increase in knowledge of God; giving thanks to Him (Colossians 1:10-12). Bearing with one another and forgiving one another (Colossians 3:13). Pray for those who mistreat you (Luke 6:28). Control your tongue and do not lie (Psalm 34:13). Tend to the needs of the suffering (Luke 10:33-35). It is not always easy, but is simple, being a Christian.

You see someone in need, and if it is within your power to help, then right at that moment you have a choice to make, a road to choose. Will you be a Christian, a man or woman of God? Or will you say to yourself ‘I am too busy’ and go about your day, like the priest and Levite who walked by the wounded man lying on the road without helping him? Are you the hypocritical priest or are you the good Samaritan? In other words, are you a servant of Christ, or are you a servant of yourself? It is a vital question to your faith. What will you tell God on the Day of Days, when He demands an answer for your neglect of your Christian duties? That you were busy? Think on this: when you are presented an opportunity to help your fellow man, and you choose not to because you were busy or whatever excuse you favor, you are putting your eternity at risk.

The hard truth is that we put our salvation on the line every time we act as if getting to work is more important than stopping for that accident (if the cops or ambulance have not yet arrived), or that we don’t have time to help that old gentleman cross the street because we really need to get to the store, or that we just can’t attend that food drive because we have a lot of work to do. FOOLS! Helping your fellow humans is your business. THAT is why we are here, to serve and honor and glorify God by ‘doing good works’. It is also just as vital that you take time out of your terribly busy schedule (busy does not equal important, by the way) to close your door and pray, to spend time in the Word with God. WWJD?