Pastor’s Pen

Our nation and the world are facing many new challenges in 2010 – there is great instability and uncertainty concerning our financial institutions and our economic future; the world financial and political systems have been shaken to the core. Yet, the Lord has promised in the book of Hebrews 12:26-27: “…Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 

The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken – that is, created things – so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

Though there is presently a loss of confidence in temporal institutions, we take heart because the Kingdom of Heaven has its own economy. The Lord encourages us not to worry about our present circumstances or future provisions: Matthew 6:25, 33 says, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear… “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Paul promises the believers in Philippians 4:19: “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” 

Jesus said in Luke 21, that when the signs of the end times (i.e., great turmoil, distress and natural calamities) begin to take place, we are to stand and lift up our heads, because our redemption is drawing near! 

It’s a time to look to heaven in hope, joy, and confidence for Psalms 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” David assures us that the Lord has never forsaken those who seek Him! Jesus continually encourages us not to fear or worry about our needs, just to seek Him with all of our hearts – He will faithfully make a way and provide for us. 

The world is shifting very rapidly – knowledge is doubling every 22 months. We could liken what is happening to a driver in a racing car. We find ourselves accelerating through life at a very rapid speed. High velocities do not afford very wide tolerances for error. A Formula One driver reaches speeds of up to 220 mph. This requires extraordinary skill, discipline, focus, and concentration. Should a driver lose his composure – become distracted or fatigued, the consequences would be catastrophic; the slightest error can be fatal.

Like a racing driver, we must be prepared, disciplined, alert, and focused. Paul saw himself as an athlete who trained diligently for the games. This is a time for believers to remove unnecessary distractions and to re-order their priorities – there are seasons in our lives when we need to prune back those things that inhibit fruit-bearing for the Kingdom of God. The disciplines of prayer, study, worship, fellowship, and service will make us more effective witnesses for Christ. Jesus said we are to “watch and pray” so we do not fall into temptation. There will be numerous enticements to pull us in many different directions. Only prayer, faithfulness, and devoted service to the Lord will enable us to walk in His perfect will as we face the many challenges ahead.

Though clouds of fear, uncertainty, and gloom cover the earth, we are in a period of unprecedented opportunity to reach the unsaved with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We can share the love of Jesus in very practical ways while communicating our faith and the hope that is within us.

Scripture calls us to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,” to “put our hands to the plow” and “not look back,” but look ahead!  

We are called to love the Lord with all our heart and love our neighbor. John writes in his first letter: “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed His love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.”

The Greek word for love here is “agape.” It is used in the New Testament to describe God’s love. In the story of the Good Samaritan (recounted in Luke 10), Jesus illustrates His “agape” kind of love. Agape love asks for nothing in return – it is not selfish, self-serving, or mercenary. Agape love is unconditional and extravagant and seeks the highest good for others.

Paul defines this God-kind of love in 1 Corinthians 13: “Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong. It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. If you love someone, you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him. All the special gifts and powers from God will someday come to an end, but love goes on forever.” (TLB)

Perhaps we should all pause and take an inventory of our hearts. Are we living in this wonderful realm of agape love? Such love softens hearts and tears down walls and barriers. This is the love that brings life, healing, peace, and reconciliation.

An expert in the Law tried to test Jesus by saying, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus responded with one of the most famous and powerful stories in Scripture. Who would Jesus use as an example of loving your neighbor? A despised Samaritan!

A man traveling on the road from Jericho to Jerusalem was robbed, beaten, and left half dead. Many priests and Levites lived in Jericho; they would travel this road on their way “up” to Jerusalem to serve in the temple.  Interestingly, a priest happened to be going “down” the same road (which indicates he was returning from his tour of duty at the Lord’s house). Though he would fulfill the “letter” of the law by serving in the temple, the priest missed the “spirit” of the law – he was lacking a loving heart of mercy and compassion for others. Sadly, the Levite also ignored the suffering victim and passed by on the other side. “Passing by on the other side” does not absolve us of our responsibilities to those in need. 

The “good Samaritan” would take pity on the victim – bandaging his wounds, taking him to an inn, arranging for his care, and covering the expenses. 

Jesus asked an expert in the law, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” 

The Lord teaches in Matthew 20:  “…whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant…the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus, our model, poured His life into the lost, the bound, the sick, the needy, and the suffering through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is what we are called to do, as John confirms in 1 John 2: “This is how we know we are in Him: Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.”

How many of us, if we saw a stranger in great distress, would avert our eyes and pass by on the other side? The Lord does not overlook the assistance we offer the needy and helpless in the agape love of Christ. 

The writer of Hebrews declares, “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”

We show the Lord our love for Him as we “continually” help others – imagine, we have the opportunity to touch and bless the very heart of God when we minister to His people! Wouldn’t those who love the Lord want to do so every waking moment?

In Matthew 25, Jesus said: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’  …I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me.”

Yet, the Lord also laments: “I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”

On the road to Damascus, the Lord called, “Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?” Paul did not realize that in persecuting the believers, he was doing so to Christ himself!

How we treat one another reveals how we treat our Lord. When we bless others, we are blessing the Lord himself! Mother Theresa was moved with compassion for the poor, the outcasts, the sick, and the suffering. She often said that when she looked upon them, she saw the very face of Jesus. What a beautiful thing – when we minister to the needs of the suffering and the afflicted, we are ministering to Jesus himself.

In 2 Corinthians 5:15, Paul says that we should no longer live for ourselves but for Christ, who died for us.

Good deeds do not save us – salvation comes only by the grace of God through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and His full atoning work on the cross. The role of the five-fold ministry of the church is to prepare God’s people for “works of service.”

Paul instructs us in Ephesians 2:  “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

In Acts 10, Peter declared that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and He went around “doing good” and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

Authentic faith is accompanied by deeds; in the Greek, faith is not only a noun, but a verb. James writes in his letter, “I will show you my faith by what I do.” He emphasizes that faith without deeds is “dead” – “useless.”  Good deeds are a natural outgrowth or “fruit” of a “living faith” as well as an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.

Let us make the most of every opportunity in the coming months.

May the Lord bless and order your steps as you walk with Him and serve Him daily.

God Bless, 

Pastor Paul Santoro