Give Our Lives For You

WE CARED SO MUCH FOR YOU, AND YOU BECAME SO DEAR TO US, THAT WE WERE WILLING TO GIVE OUR LIVES FOR YOU WHEN WE GAVE YOU GOD'S MESSAGE. 1 Thessalonians 2.8.

While in India on holiday sometime ago, I was introduced to what the local people call, ‘God’s TV channel’. It is a 24 hour Christian channel. Evangelists, preachers, pastors, singers and entertainers appear one after the other, mostly whites, blacks and a sprinkle of Indians, plying the gospel in every conceivable manner to the pagan Indians. I wondered whether the fabulous settings and Hollywood entertainment-style of presentation made it difficult for the poor natives to accept Christianity and Christ as anything but Western!

In spite of the ostentatious presentations, it was surprising that every producer relentlessly solicited for funds to maintain their programmes on the air. Yet their forerunners, centuries ago, were the self-effacing, sacrificial missionaries whom we reverence even today. They sold or gave up their all and went off to far away lands by boats and bullock carts to take the good news of God’s love to the native people. They were the true followers of the early apostolic missionaries like the apostle Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Peter, Thomas and others.

Jesus told the poor old fisher man of Galilee, Peter, who left all and followed Him, "I tell you the truth," Jesus said to them, "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life” (Lk 18.29.30). That is the kind of selfless following to which the Lord Jesus has called you and me. No one, not even TV evangelists, healers, preachers or prophets should make the sharing of the gospel of Christ, a means of enriching themselves! It makes me feel proud that my father and grandfather followed the good old missionary pattern and helped the poor Christians they ministered to instead of receiving from them! What a privilege to follow them!

It is interesting and worthy of emulation what the apostle Paul mentions in today’s passage about his way of sharing the gospel with the people. “We chose to be like children or like a mother nursing her baby. We cared so much for you, and you became so dear to us, that we were willing to give our lives for you when we gave you God's message” (vs 7,8).

You are called to serve God’s people in some ministry. I trust you have found your niche. If not find any niche and start doing something – anything! The Lord loathes those who stand idle and simply let others do everything. When you begin to serve the Lord and the people, be willing to make some sacrifice – time, talent or treasure. There will be times when, like the apostle Paul, you too may be called to ‘share your life or even give your life’ with some you may have to minister to!

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, You gave Your life for me. May I be willing to share what I have and even my life with the people who may be in need. Amen.