WORD OF LIFE No. 1 – 2010
TEXT –Song of Solomon 4: 1-7.
‘Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes within thy locks: thy hair is as a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead. Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn, which came up from the washing; whereof every one bear twins, and none is barren among them. Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy speech is comely: thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate within thy locks. Thy neck is like the tower of David builded for an armoury, whereon there hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men. Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins, which feed among the lilies. Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense. Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee.’
We see in those writings that Solomon saw a vision of the Bride of Christ. He firstly said that thou art fair, my love, so we see that firstly God loves us and we have to become fair. When a bride is chosen she goes to a great amount of trouble to prepare herself for the wedding day, to make herself look the best she has ever looked, so we see that we have to also make an effort. And Solomon saw the eyes and they were as doves' eyes. Doves are a peaceful bird. Doves do not make a lot of noise. Doves quietly fly around and they are always at peace with the world, so we see that we have to develop "this peace". It is not the peace of man, but the Peace of God that Christ left for us. Peace between ourselves and God through Jesus Christ, reconciled to God, happy to be His sons and His daughters.
He then told us that the teeth must be like a flock of sheep. He was purposely shown the sheep as an example because sheep have to go together in a flock. They have to have a leader, a shepherd. They have to have lots of things done to them. They have to be lead to the water. Every year they have to have the wool taken off them because in that wool is all the burrs and the rubbish, and in the summer they would die. So we see that we have to allow ourselves to be watered, to be fed, to have our bad things taken away from us, to be fruitful, and to live close to God. The teeth are all even. Out of our mouth proceed all of the words that we say, so we have to make sure that our words are always even, that they are not judgemental, that they treat everyone as equal in God's sight. They have to be washed and we too have to be washed through Baptism, so that we can call on the good shepherd.
None of the sheep were barren and they all brought forth twins, so we see that we have to make this effort
in our life to serve the Lord at all times, to be fruitful, and help others to this great promise.
The lips were like a thread of scarlet. Under the Jewish law, if a person was found telling lies, he had to go to the priest and the priest painted his lips a scarlet colour to cure him. We see that we must always be careful of what we say, that we do not tell lies, that we do not go about tale-bearing and causing trouble, but at all times ask the high priest to paint our lips with scarlet.
The neck is like the tower of David on which all the armoury was hung. Our neck connects our head with
our body. The head of the church is Christ. We must have strong faith, connecting ourselves as the body of Christ to the head of Christ. Always do in our life all those things that Christ has taught us. When we listen to those things, perhaps we become depressed, because we ask ourselves how can we do all of those things, and of course we can't, but through the Grace of Christ He has given us a way when Solomon saw a hill of frankincense and a mountain of myrrh.
Frankincense represents the Holy Ghost. We cannot see it but it has been given to us from God. This Holy Ghost can forgive us our sins. It can comfort us, feed us, give us the Word of God, tell us when we are doing wrong and help us do right, so we must at all times in our life call on this Holy Spirit through the Grace of Christ to forgive us our sins.
The mountain of myrrh. Myrrh was used to embalm bodies so that they would not deteriorate, and we've been given a mountain of myrrh which is the Holy Communion. This will also preserve our bodies, that even if we pass away in this life, when the Lord returns the graves will open and we will be made whole again. This myrrh is used to take away our forgiven sins and replace it with the righteousness of Christ, and it is only by this righteousness of Christ and the Grace of Christ, not by any acts of ourselves, not by fulfilling any laws, only the Grace of Christ that can prepare us for those wonderful words that Solomon saw in verse 7, "Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee. "
Let us seek the Grace of Christ and His righteousness, and remember Christ's teaching. "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all else will be added unto you."
APOSTLE CLIFF FLOR
NORTH QUEENSLAND.
TEXT – Proverbs 27:18
‘Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waited on his master shall be honoured.’
Once again during the Christmas season many thousands of pine trees and fig trees are used as decorations adorned with their twinkling lights. What does this remind us of? Is it only the tradition of the Christmas decorations which alter the look of our rooms? It is a message for a very short time which returns every year and passes again. Does it leave anything behind? "Of course", we say. Otherwise, would we go through all the trouble to unpack the cartons and then return everything to its place. There is no testimony about a Christmas tree in the bible. But we can read about a fig tree. Could these two trees have something in common?
The fig tree belongs to the oldest group of plants in the world. It appears already on the first page of the bible in Genesis 3:7. From late May to early October the fig tree bears fruit for five months. The first fruits in spring are from the flowers of the previous year, the so-called green figs. They indicate that winter is over. In the Song of SOLOMON 2: 13 we read: "The fig tree putteth forth her green figs and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell.." They are not juicy but are eaten all the same. If there are none, the tree is infertile.
The fig tree is often mentioned in the bible in connection with the vines and the olive tree. Living under vines and fig trees is a symbol of peace, safety and prosperity. The fig tree belongs to the seven blessings of the Israelites symbolizing the prosperity of the promised land. A fig tree without any fruit was therefore an unwanted burden. It was chopped down and destroyed. Good soil was rare and not wasted on fruitless trees draining nourishment from other trees. The parable of Jesus and the fig tree according to Luke 13 :6-9 relates to the reference to two disasters and the two warnings by Jesus Christ with the same sentence:"I tell you, Nay: but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (verses 3 + 5). With the following parable Jesus opens the heaven abounding with grace. As surely as we can rely on the grace and compassion of GOD it is also certain that GOD'S patience has its limits.
With this parable Jesus holds up a mirror to the people of Israel and us as well. The story about the fig tree reminds us of the judgement text, such as ISAIAH 5, the Lord's vineyard. In Revelation Jesus judged His community. Or in John 15:1-8 He tells the story of the vineyard.
GOD expects fruit from His children. It is not important what we expect from His community but what GOD expects from us, that is vital. GOD expects that our relationship with Him bears fruit in our lives: in our thoughts and our speech, in our deeds and being, in our relationship with one another, with money and our labour. It is about the entirety of the Sunday Service, it is about the Sunday of faith and the weekdays of life. GOD expects from us to be a fragrance of JESUS CHRIST.
Christians should not be known for stirring up trouble and complaining, criticising and judging but for projecting hope and encouragement. Sometimes we need to be shocked by the Holy GOD in order to understand that the Christian faith is not about fun and jokes and the question how we feel about ourselves.
It is literally all about the radical devotion to Christ and to my sisters and brothers and to the world. It is not about beautiful leaves and outer glory or the presence in GOD'S garden but solely about the fruit. About the fruit which is brought forth through our connection to and our relationship with CHRIST. Time and time again Jesus invited us to turn back and commit ourselves to a fruitful relationship with GOD.
That is why this story does not end with the chopping down of the infertile fig tree but about the commitment and sacrifice of the keeper of the vineyard in bringing this tree to bear fruit the next season. GOD does not expect superhuman performance or any sacrifice from us. GOD expects only one thing: that we are living as GOD'S children.
So this story can be understood as a parable about grace but it also contains a warning and a reminder. We are duty-bound to bear fruit that is why we were planted in the garden of our Lord to whom we belong, hide and hair. Our fruit proves that we are real children of GOD, just as infertility is a sign of lack of a godly life.
The Christmas tree displays his splendour only for a short time but what is his message?
What is better and more beautiful that that all people who come into contact with Christians should experience the fragrance and blossom to new hope and real life.
APOSTLE GERT LOOSE
GERMANY.
TEXT - Matthew 20: 20-28.
‘Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left, in thy kingdom. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptised with the baptism that I am baptised with? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptised with the baptism that I am baptised with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.’
We see in that teaching where our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ spoke to His Apostles and we can read and hear how the mother of two of them came unto Him with a special request. Who amongst us as mothers or parents would not like to make that same special request unto the Almighty God? To be able to sit at Christ's right hand and left hand would be what we would all wish and strive for our children. But Christ said- Can they partake of the cup and the baptism the He had to partake of? He was meaning the persecution that would come unto His life, the crucifixion, the downtrodden way that He would be treated on this earth. And they said they could. And He said that indeed it shall happen unto them. If we read history we will find that all of those original Apostles indeed had to partake of that cup, for they were all persecuted, they were all in one way or another martyred, and they did give up their lives for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. But He then made it very clear that to grant that wish was not given unto Him, for there was a power greater than He who had that power to do that, and it would be God who would choose these things. God will choose those who will be elevated on the last day and given this day of rest. And that is what the Apostle Paul wrote so strongly that we dare not number ourselves to that body. We live in hope. We live in trust. We also have to partake of the cup and the baptism that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ partook of, but the moment that we think in our lives that we are to be part of this or that, that we are to be exalted for this or for that, then we have lost everything that has been given us by the Almighty God, for we have become proud. We are no longer the recipients of the grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and it is only through this grace that we can achieve this glorification. It will not be the glorification for us, or the uplifting up of us. We will be the recipients of the benefits. But the glorification will go to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, for He will have shown to Satan and his followers, and He will have shown to all the creations, that through Him and through His sacrifice, and through His display of humility a woman (church) has been prepared and who now can be lifted up so that He can receive the glory, and in turn He can then pass that glory to that power which He acknowledges is above Him, that His Heavenly Father's word can be once again taken as being valid. So we see why He said unto them, that the princes of this world exercise authority. But these men were to be the foundation builders of His church; their teaching of His word, and they were to build on that chief cornerstone, and they were to approach this in the same way that He approached it, and that was in humility. They were to be servants. They were not to be ministered to, but they were to minister. And he that thought himself to be the greatest had to become the servant of them all. We begin to understand the word humility, and we take that into our own lives, and we ask ourselves whether we are practising that within our lives. From the very birth of Christ, even before that, from His conception, if we think about it, He was in the glory of His Father, and yet He gave Himself to His Father's mind to be placed within a virgin, and come down and make Himself equal with man. What a wonderful act of humility, and it is the beginning of humble life that He has shown us that we must live. Those that continue in this labour to-day must ensure that they stay as servants. It is by this that we can all test who is a true Servant. Rev 4: 10. "The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne." Those that cannot give up these crowns can never be a true servant as described by our Lord.
APOSTLE CLIFF FLOR
NORTH QUEENSLAND.
TEXT – Luke 12: 35-38.
‘Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their LORD, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the LORD when he cometh shall find watching: verily, I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and will come forth to serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or cometh in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.’
Servants (followers) of JESUS are people who are waiting for their master and understand that in their lifetime they have to be good and faithful keepers of GOD'S gifts of grace.
This parable has two main points, the vigilant commitment to anticipate the return of CHRIST (verse 36) and the devoted administration of the duties assigned to them (verse 42).
Obviously there is a danger in both of these points to become lethargic, negligent and indifferent. The return of JESUS CHRIST as written in the gospels and letters is a very important subject. But is it also just as important to us or our community?
The main emphasis is the responsibility of all servants. GOD will demand from everyone HE has put into service to be accountable and will reward their labour (verse 44), or punish them (verse 46). The benchmark is the revealed will of GOD (verse 47). He who has been given much (talent, power, care), GOD will demand from him all the more (dedication and achievement).
Years ago at the beginning of each school day the teacher told his pupils: "Be prepared!" and they answered: "Always prepared!" This emphasized the commitment to the rules of the school. While this referred to their commitment to good deeds in the natural should we as Christians not have all the more reason to remind each other: "Be prepared!". And then in view of the promises made by GOD and in expectation of CHRIST'S return we should answer: "Always prepared!" Waiting for the return of CHRIST is always combined with readiness and devotion. Is it really so?
Seeing that GOD'S kingdom will become visible and fulfilled with a hundred percent certainty, JESUS CHRIST reminds HIS followers to be prepared, persevere and not be deceived (LUKE 17:20:37). JESUS returns as a saviour for the community and as a judge for the ungodly.
During the time until HIS return the believers will be suffering many difficulties. The just GOD will hear their supplications and prayers (LUKE 18:1-8) and with the return of JESUS CHRIST HE will bring an end to all the injustice endured during their great difficulties and sorrow. We should not pray for the relief or the end of the sorrow but for our salvation from this sorrow.
And these words in REVELATION 22: 20-21 complete the circle:
"He which testifieth these things saith, SURELY I COME QUICKLY. Amen
EVEN SO, COME, LORD JESUS!
THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BE WITH YOU ALL. Amen. "
APOSTLE GERT LOOSE
GERMANY.
TEXT - Matthew 2: 1-2
‘Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.’
This scene has often been relived over and over each year on cards and nativity scenes, but if we follow the Bible we will see that it has a profound meaning to all believers of this incarnate birth. It is often shown as happening on the night of his birth, but we can read that it was some time later that this event happened. Matt. 2: 11. "And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him." We see that the first group to worship our Lord were the Jewish Shepherds and those devout Jews in the temple and then these wise men of Gentile nations came later to worship him, showing that He firstly came to save God's people and then the whole world. These men that came were representatives of an age old organisation at the time called "Magi". It was a world wide organisation made up of wise men who studied the signs and these were coordinated to bring wisdom together to search the past and future events. 'They were as is it were the first scientists who coordinated their works. Today we would call them "International Scientific group". They were made up of five classes. 1. The Hartummim, The expounders of Sacred writings and interpreters of Signs. 2. The Ashaphim, who were conjurers. 3. The Mekashiphim, who were magicians and diviners. 4. The Gozerim, who were astrologists. 5. The Kasdim, who were the chaldeans or deep thinkers.
We can read in the days of Daniel the prophet how he was appointed by the king to become the chief or prince of this organisation. We today would say that it was the top Scientific organisation operating in the
world at the time and how they were shown and believed in this event, the birth of the King of Kings by a
virgin as God on Earth. It is a pity science today spends so much of its efforts in trying to prove that this and other happenings by God in this world could not have happened. What a different world it would be if science today would only seek its inspiration from God as did their forebears. (Matt 2: 10) "When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy." There was of course a profound reason why the wise men from the east, representing the whole world at the time, made the effort to journey all that distance to give gifts and praise to this child. We go back over 1000 years before this event to the days of a young King Solomon who had been told by God what was required of him in building the temple for God to dwell in and to judge Gods people. We read in 1 Kings Ch 3 how earnestly Solomon prayed, not asking for riches or glory, but rather only for wisdom, understanding and judgement. It is recorded in 1 Kings 3: 12, Gods’ answer, "Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee." God also told him that Kings and Queens and wise men would come before Solomon from every where to listen to the wisdom of Solomon and give him gifts. History in the bible shows this did happen. Now Gods word must always be fulfilled and with the journey of the wise men those many years later to Bethleham signalled clearly to the world that the word of God to Solomon has now come to an end, and as Christ Himself declared to the Jewish leaders in (Matt 12:42), "The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgement with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon: and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here." This was shown clearly to the Scientists of those days who worshiped the young child and gave Him gifts knowing that the most wise was now in the world. God always provides for those that love Him and we see that Joseph and Mary who were poor carpenters, were able to use the gifts left by the wise men to flee to Egypt and dwell in that land and to care for themselves and Jesus for almost a year before it was safe to return and dwell in Nazareth. Gods wisdom is now available to all who will make that journey, in childlike faith, to our Lord as did those wise men.
APOSTLE CLIFF FLOR
NORTH QUEENSLAND.
TEXT – Matthew 6: 1-4.
‘Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.’
There are times when the believer and unbeliever both can not fulfil the word TAKE HEED, or be careful, when they want to show who they are, shouting or going around to tell what good they have done, saying ‘I ALONE’, boasting one self. It is very understanding that we who are in Christ’s name , because of faith, we shall see our actions by avoiding to boast ourselves in giving our alms. Christ advises us to give secretly so that the Heavenly Father can reward us openly. Those who boast are hypocrites, putting themselves up very high, even or in fact they have less. Verse 3- If you give or do alms (Works and offerings) let not your left hand know what the right hand doeth and more especially do not boast to others. The bible tells us, any one who lifts himself up or boasts shall be bought low by God.
We can see a great example of the giant Goliath who boasted against David a mere shepherd boy, who by faith and humbleness killed the giant with his sling and single stone to the forehead of Goliath. This is an example of Gods’ word, even if we remain humble and simple in the eyes of others, as long as we have faith with actions of doing Gods’ will, Jesus promised, “I will not forsake you, I will be with you always.”
Let us embrace our faith, to avoid boasting and show we are indeed members in the Apostolic faith.
ELDER DAGSI DALUNAG
LAMAO ABRA, PHILIPPINES.
TEXT – 2 Corinthians 4: 13-15.
‘We having that same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.’
The Apostle Paul opens a new-door of thought for us as we consider the ongoing work of each of us. Let us consider those words. ‘For all things are for your sakes that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. If we are to receive this abundant grace, and it is only by grace that we are saved, it is only by grace that we receive our natural blessing, it is only by grace that we receive this preparation or this inheritance when Christ will raise us up, it is only by grace that we can have our sins taken away, it is only by grace that we can receive the righteousness of Christ. We begin to see the necessity for this grace. We see that the Apostle Paul has told us through the thanksgiving of many, abundantly the grace will be poured out on all and many. It is a way we can help each other, help our brothers and sisters, help those who have not yet been called into this wonderful way, this wonderful promise of this inheritance. It is the way that we can contribute by giving thanksgiving every day, by making an offering of thanksgiving for the blessings that we have received, by recognising this. The Apostle went further in his teachings to the Corinthians. He said that he does not only give thanks for the abundance of blessings, but he gives thanks also for the persecutions and the problems, and the troubles that come into his life. He said to the people that it would be very easy for him to give glory unto himself and to lift him up above the people because of the blessings of wisdom and the blessing of revelation that had been given unto him. He said he was even taken up to the third heaven and shown, and went passed Paradise. How easy if would be for him to be able to elevate himself. How easy would it be for us to elevate ourselves because we are called into this wonderful promise. How easy it would be. He said that it becomes like a sword in his side and then he remembers those things he did in persecuting the church, and he prayed three times to God to give him an answer. God spoke to him and said, 'My grace is sufficient for thee.' If we hear the words our Lord spoken unto him in Chpt 12 verses 6-9, we will begin to understand that we also have to give thanksgiving for the times in our life when we are put to trial, not only for the blessings, for in those times it brings us back in humility to see the blessings of God and to yearn for them, and we find written: For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. We see thanksgiving is not just a word. We have to meditate on it, and we have to remember that if the grace of Christ is to dispense itself within the church into the future we have to be sincere, giving thanksgiving for our blessings and also thanksgiving for our infirmities.
APOSTLE CLIFF FLOR
NORTH QUEENSLAND.
TEXT - Matthew 25:31-40.
"When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and' came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it into me".
In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus had already said that not all those who said to him: "Lord!", would enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but those who do the will of His Father in Heaven. "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesised in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matthew 7:22-23). To want to serve Jesus is good and lovely, but learn from His words: "inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" and "inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me!"
One still frequently hears, too, words of so-called friends of Jesus: "Lord! we have heard thy sermon, we have eaten and drunk in the fellowship, and participated in Holy Communion."
Then He will say to them: "Yes, you have served me and built me churches, you have worshipped me; but you have not helped me. I suffered, I strove, I fought against unrighteousness, I suffered slavery and misery, and you did not help me!"
Then the question: "Lord! when have we seen you thus?" and Jesus answers emphatically: "no, you have not seen me thus, but you have seen your fellow men, your brethren and sisters, who have found themselves in all sorts of dire straits with regard to money and possessions, rest and solace, education and improvement. You have not helped, supported, saved. You have been unconciliating and have kept your time, your possessions, your knowledge, your love for yourselves."
The Lord counts all these things as sins of commission and omission against Him. He says therefore: "go from me, I do not know you, I do not recognize your Christianity!" "If only we had known!" some will say. Here our error comes to light. We must not do good in order to please God and Christ or anyone else, but simply because it is good!
The people around us are God's creation, just as we are, and therefore they are our neighbours, and God's Kingdom must be spread amongst them. This has been understood by the other friends of Jesus who have blessed their fellow men and have stood by them without ever guessing that they were thus serving the Lord personally. All service to man is service to idols. Jesus demands of us service to God such as He Himself performed. Service to God is perfect service. In this context we can learn from Him, who loved the world (mankind) so much that He gave His own life for men, that they might not be lost, but might have eternal life. His voice does not sound out for His own honour and His own glory, but to keep and to save, to perfect everything that is imperfect in us and around us. Inasmuch as we turn to Him out of gratitude, He says to you and me: "See, those are your neighbours, my brethren and your brethren!" A day's work for the Saviour, that is worth the trouble!
LATE APOSTLE J. F. KRÖNER
NETHERLANDS.