Acts – Acts of the Way

“Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord and not for your masters.” (Colossians 3:23)

“. . .for I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you too care of, I was in prison and you visited me. Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it we that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.'” (Matthew 26:35-40)

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

“So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.” (Galatians 6:9-10)

God calls us to act, to take care of our brother and sister. Who is our brother and sister? If God created each of us in our mothers’ wombs, in His image, then that means everyone. Think of someone close to you, there is likely not a trial or tribulation you would not walk through with them. That is the mentality Christ calls us to have with those we love and those we may not know how to love yet. Nowhere in the Bible does Christ tell us or show us in His actions that we are to judge first and then get to know and understand others’ pain later. We need to love, heart first. As we learn to live this way, we open ourselves to better understand others’ situations and hardships and to more deeply experience God’s love in us.

My prayer is to act in ways that are pleasing to God and further His kingdom and glory, not mine.

“Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus. . .” (Philippians 2:4-5)

God calls us to know and understand others. And His command is not just for those we agree with or those we have favorable feelings toward, but everyone.

Take Action

Ask God in prayer to identify an area you are able to take action. Practice listening to the Holy Spirit and taking action. Following the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit, we will become filled to overflowing with the grace and understanding of God. We need to be continuously: reading, praying, listening and acting in ways that bring us closer to Almighty God. Through this process and deeper knowledge of God, we ultimately attain His wisdom.