October 29: UNQUESTIONABLE HARMONY
Jesus said: And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. John 4:36
One of the most difficult disciplines of the Christian life is allowing the Holy Spirit to bring us into unquestionable harmony with the teachings of the Bible. The Holy Spirit of God is the Author of those teachings, but fallen human nature too often leads us to reverse the correct placement of divine instruction and common sense. To most people, the practical aspects of how to live life, as they are laid out for us simply and plainly in Scripture, are deemed foolish, even impractical. But the man or woman with a sincere desire to please the One by whom that Word is inspired will cultivate an openness to the royal oracles of doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (see 2 Timothy 3:16).
In seeking to share with those in need, it is crucial that we provide the right kind of help. The goal of goals is to connect them with the Savior. Regardless of circumstances, this is the greatest need, and it applies to both the recipients and those workers desiring to provide relief. Oh, how our Savior delights in both: he who helps and he who is helped!
The admonition to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) is especially applicable as the Christian worker addresses each case of need. We are to continuously seek God for wisdom, as there lurks the danger of unwittingly enabling a spirit of slothfulness, idleness, helplessness, extravagance, or greed. In such a case, our “help” becomes an injury to the recipient. In passing out food and clothing to our neighbors, the messages of spiritual food and the righteous robe of Christ must accompany the tangible gifts.
Is your common sense or the common sense of those around you in the ‘top rung’ of the ladder of your decision-making? If so, the Holy Spirit will help you to discern this – if you ask. It may be time to do that thing which the world regards as foolish… to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33).
God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence…as it is written, “he who glories, let him glory in the LORD.” 1 Corinthians 1:27-29, 31