Now that I know. . . .

Somehow, in our modern theology, we've missed the central point of the gospel message.

Here in the US, we go to church, read our Bibles, sing hymns or praise songs, leave church and go about our business, feeling we've made God proud. The problems of people around the world are too difficult to care about, too menial to be involved in. I've heard too people make comments about those who are less fortunate, as if these people were in that position by their own choosing. Really, how many of us would actually choose to spend our lives living less than paycheck to paycheck, worrying about how to feed our families? Many have no understanding of the issues faced by so many of our countrymen, too many of whom have to choose between putting food on the table, or paying bills as they come due.

I've also heard many people complaining about illegal immigrants who come to this country to "steal our jobs." I ask those of you with feelings like this to consider going on a short term mission trip to a third world country to work with these people in their homelands. See what it is they live like everyday. Then, come back to the US to our running water, our abundant food supply, our infrastructure and the opportunities here. Then, ask yourselves, if you lived in that country, wouldn't you want to come to the land of opportunity to work hard and send money home to simply feed your family?

Being a disciple of Jesus requires that we love our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. When we are doing this, it will naturally flow that we will love and serve our fellow human beings. In Ephesians 2:8-10, we are told that, before the world began, it was determined that we would be created to do good works, that such works were to be our lifestyle. "For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." God spoke through Isaiah, in Isaiah 58 and through the disciple, Matthew, in Matthew 25:31-46, and through Jeremiah, in Jeremiah 22:15-16, making it quite clear that we are to help those who are less fortunate. I agree with John, the disciple. How can we say we love God and yet begrudge our fellow human beings the opportunity to merely feed their families?

Now that we know, what shall we do?