We live during a time in history where there are many who claim to know Jesus. More important than whether or not we know Jesus, does He know us? When Jesus returns to the earth to set up his kingdom that will last for one thousand years, there will me many who call out to him “Lord, Lord”, and Jesus will say to them “I never knew you…”
Matthew 7:22-23 Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, … And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you…
Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
Most of us understand that it is by Grace that we are saved, through Faith, and not by any works or merit, that we have eternal life.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God…
James, the brother of Jesus, reminded us that it is not good enough to simply claim; “I know Jesus”, but that our life should demonstrate in practical ways, that we know Jesus. Has your life really changed that much since you first claimed to know Jesus Christ? If we claim to know Jesus, what are we doing with that claim?
James 2:15-17 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
The key to demonstrating that we have truly come into a relationship with Jesus Christ, is what we are giving to others, from the resources that we have. When we see or hear that there is a need, how do we respond? If you really want to know where your priorities are in your life, get out your most recent bank statement and see where all your money goes every month.
Being a missionary in a third world country, I know that before I came to the Philippines and saw the conditions that people live under, I closed my eyes and ears to the pleas I heard from those who were asking for help. I rationalized that I had enough of my own problems, and that I was already giving my tithe to my local church.
It was not until I actually looked into the eyes of the people here on this tiny island, and saw their pain and suffering, that I began to change. Living in Amacan hut’s made from grass and bamboo, wearing torn and tattered clothing. No running water, no toilets or electricity, living on less than $40.00 a month for an entire family, these are amongst the world’s poorest people.
As I stood at the door of their tiny homes and gazed inside, tears came to my eyes, and my heart was changed. No glass windows, dirt floors, a few bamboo beds line the outer edge of the dark room, the smell of mildew and garbage nearby.
I never thought that I would be one of those who would leave my home in the U.S., and come to live in a country where there was so much poverty.
When I first arrived here, and even to the present day, I still complain about so many things. It is very difficult to have those things her, that I formerly took for granted back in the United States. To have the use of electricity here on Bantayan Island is a major undertaking. It took nearly two weeks, and many trips back and forth to the local municipality, not to mention how expensive it was, just to be able to enjoy the privilege of having electrical power.
I complained so many times about how hard and slow it was to obtain electricity, one of the Filipino engineers at the electric company told me “It’s okay I understand, my father in law is English, and I have heard him complain so many times, I am used to it now…” I felt so ashamed that these dear people here on this island, most of which cannot even afford electricity, were watching me act so badly.
The greatest lesson that I am learning here in the Philippines is that knowing Jesus must be demonstrated by a changed life. I can no longer excuse my poor behavior as just being something that is “the way that I am, and people are going to have to get used to it.” I must change my behavior and my attitudes, and I must be ready to give as much as I can to ease the suffering of these dear people.
I had heard the missionaries who visited our church, speak of these destitute people in third world countries, many times. I have listened to their vivid descriptions of poverty and suffering. I saw the work that they were doing in the countries where they were serving. Somehow I was never really moved to do something myself.
Now that I have lived here amongst the poor of Bantayan Island, I have been changed more by these dear people, than I fear that I have changed them. They have softened my heart and opened my eyes to what the world is really like. I am compelled to share this experience with you, and what I am learning.
Following Jesus is really all about giving to others.
When I examine the words and actions of Jesus in the New Testament, I see him doing things for people, not just talking about it. I see the Lord giving up his rights to meet the needs of others. I see a life that has been completely poured out on the service of those who are in need.
Practical Christianity therefore is a demonstration of good works in the lives of those who are in need.
Not everyone can sell their home, take their family, and move to a third world country to serve the poor. There are however, many people in your own city who need your help. Would you dare walk down the street on the poor side of town in your city, and give the poor food, blankets, and the message of hope in Jesus Christ?
Can you give just a little of your earnings to those who are serving as missionaries in your own church, to allow them to have the money required to meet the needs of the poor where thy serve?
Yes, you have problems of your own, and there are needs everyday that you find hard to meet. The surest way of remaining unfulfilled and empty in our life, is to continue to focus on ourselves. To pick yourself up from the midst of your own problems and do something to help someone else, is the fastest way of bringing satisfaction and joy back into your life. God made us to be a blessing to other people. When we give of ourselves, we find satisfaction in ways that we could otherwise never experience.
Jesus made it clear that when we love someone in his name, that we are loving him. When we ignore the poor and destitute, that we are ignoring him.
Matthew 25:34-45 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’
In this illustration by Jesus, he is demonstrating for us what he considers a real relationship with him is about. Serving the needs of those who are suffering.
The Bible is filled with exhortations by the Holy Spirit to “consider” and care for the poor. In one particular verse from Psalm 41, the Lord promises to bring healing to your body when you are sick, if you have considered and cared for the poor.
Psalms 41:1-3 Blessed is he who considers the poor; The LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.The LORD will preserve him and keep him alive, And he will be blessed on the earth; You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies. The LORD will strengthen him on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed.
Proverbs 19:17 He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, And He will pay back what he has given.
Proverbs 21:13 Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard.
Proverbs 22:9 He who has a generous eye will be blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor.
Proverbs 29:7 The righteous considers the cause of the poor, But the wicked does not understand such knowledge.
I can testify to the truth of James words in chapter 2 of his epistle that the poor are more open and receptive to the good news of Jesus Christ, than those who have an abundance of material things in their life.
James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
Jesus words that not all who call him “Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven, should be a wake up call for all of us. What am I doing with my claim to know Jesus? Is it just a verbal proclamation, or is it the way that I live my life?
I think that one of the best ways to find out what kind of relationship we have with Jesus, is to test ourselves by giving up our attempts at getting some the the things that we think we need, so that someone else can have the essential things that they absolutely must have to live, such as food, clothing and shelter.
Rob Robinson
