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| Billie Silvey |
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| God's Call to Service |
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God made us, and he made us for a purpose. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). Service isn’t merely a civic or social obligation. It’s a moral necessity. “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share” (1 Timothy 6:16). We serve in response to all that God has done for us. “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8). During all the talk about health care, I’ve been impressed with just how selfish we are. How often have I heard the words, “I have a really good health care plan; I don’t want anything to change.” Or “I never realized how bad things were until I lost my insurance or I got sick or my child got sick or my husband had a stroke.” Or “I don’t care what they do, as long as they don’t touch my social security.” But what about all those people who don’t have health care, or who will be dropped as soon as they get a serious injury or illness, or who have a preexisting condition? What about other people? God put us together in society to care about each other. “Serve one another in love” (Galatians 5:13). “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4). God put us in a democracy where we can vote for what we think is best. But since when does "best" mean only what works for us? Let’s use the power that is ours in a free democracy to vote for policies that are good for everyone, not just us and ours. “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?” (James 2:14). “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need [of health care, for instance] but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” (I John 3:17). As we pray for God’s kingdom to come and for him to reign in our hearts here on earth as he does in heaven, we are asking that he lead us to look out for each other. That’s his will. “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:10). “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Hebrews 13:16). Jesus taught it. “Let your light shine before men,” he said, “that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). The church was set up to encourage it. “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Ephesians 4:11-12). And each of us as individuals should promote it. “Let us consider how we may spur one another toward love and good deeds.” “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows [the weakest in society] in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world [selfishness or greed]” (James 1:27) We'll be richly rewarded for it. “God will give to each person according to what he has done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life” (Romans 2:6-7). |
| October 2009 |