CHRISTIAN SERVICE PART 2

Guest Writer: Jeff McCrary

hristian service is one of the most telling of all godly attributes. Jesus said, “by their fruits you will know them” (Matt. 7:20). While the works a person performs can’t reveal his heart completely, it can paint a striking picture of what that person is really like. John wrote, “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:17-18). Notice how John placed “word” and “tongue” on one side and “deed” and “truth” on the other. Words are cheap and are not always associated with the truth. While it is possible to “fake” a few deeds along the way and fool many people, eventually our true colors will come out, for it is still true: “By their fruits you will know them.”

hristian service is also the most representative of godly characteristics. If it is true that our deeds show our inner likeness, then the picture we paint to others through our works will influence what they think of our Lord and His church. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). Do we glorify God by our conduct or do we shame Him?

 friend was stopped on the side of the road one day, his car disabled. After a while, a man stopped to see if he could help. He was able to help and after a time my friend was ready to continue on his way. Before leaving he asked his benefactor if he would accept payment for his good deed. To my friend’s surprise, the man said, “I set out each day to do a good deed. You have just given me a chance to do that. Thank you for making my day.” Think of the picture that paints concerning the love and sincerity of this man. Think also of the powerful message that tells the world about his Savior. Now, we wonder why the church is not growing today as it has in the past. Could this be part of the answer?

 have never met anyone who didn’t agree that Christians needed to be service people, constantly going about seeking to do good deeds for others, but he has met many people who didn’t abide by this truth. Jesus warns in Matthew 25 that this will be one of the reasons for our sentence to hell or reward of heaven. Let us “work the works of Him who sent [us] while it is day; [for] the night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4).

[Next Week: “The Christian Race”]

LUKE, THE BELOVED PHYSICIAN

Bob Myhan

lmost universally accepted as the author of the third Gospel and the book of Acts, Luke is actually mentioned by name only three times in the New Testament. However, we can learn a great deal about him from these few references.

irst, he was “the beloved physician” (Col. 4:14). The Greek word for physician, “iatros,” means “healer.” It is part of several familiar English medical terms, such as geriatrics and pediatrics. Of course, physicians of the first century were not specialists but simply “healers” (see Luke 4:23). “The words, ‘the beloved one,’ breathe with Paul’s gratitude for his services” (Wuest’s Word Studies, Vol. 1, p. 238). It is not unlikely that Paul required the attending services of a personal physician (2 Cor. 11:24-27). His apostolic power [“the signs of an apostle” – 2 Cor. 12:12] was for the confirmation of the word (Mark 1:16,20; Heb. 2:4), and was not to be used arbitrarily. Otherwise, he surely would not have left Trophimus “in Miletus sick” (2 Tim. 4:20).

econd, Luke was one of Paul’s “fellow workers” (Philemon 24), which is an indication that, to an extent, Luke was involved in spiritual labor, as well as the practice of medicine. When a Christian’s occupation becomes so demanding, so time consuming, and so important that he does not have the energy, time or inclination to be spiritually active, he needs to be reminded of the Lord’s words, “Do not labor for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him” (John 6:27), and “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt. 6:33).

hird, of all Paul’s fellow workers, “only Luke” was with him at Rome during his final days (2 Tim. 4:6-11). Not only had Luke accompanied Paul on much of the latter’s second and third preaching trips (Acts 16:8-12; 20:1-17; 21:1-17, and on his voyage to Rome (Acts 27:1; 28:16), but he also stayed in Rome during much of Paul’s first imprisonment there, which lasted “two whole years” (Acts 28:30,31).

he beloved physician was obviously one who could be counted on. What a contrast to Demas, who forsook Paul, “having loved this present world” (2 Tim. 4:10). Can you be counted on like Luke, or will you prove to be more like Demas?

“HAVING SHOD YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE”

Guest Writer: Eddie R. Littrell

here is undoubtedly an allusion here to that which was worn by the soldiers for the preparation and protection of their feet. The Greek is, literally, “having underbound the feet,” or having bound on the shoes or sandals.

he protection of the feet and ankles consisted of two parts. First the sandals were probably made to cover the foot and were often armed with spikes to give the soldier a firm foothold on whatever terrain the fighting might take place. Second, the greaves—armor plates—were fitted to the shins, and designed to defend them from any danger.

ince the Christian warrior is to “stand” he must have no unprotected or uncertain foothold. He must be prepared for the adverse places and circumstances of the battle. As his battleground will change, his strength should begin with a firm footing. His preparedness, in this regard, is found in the “gospel of peace.”

ith the gospel giving him footing, the Christian can be settled, sure, and restful, just in proportion to the stress around him. He is “thoroughly furnished unto every good work” (2 Timothy 3:17).

[Next: “Taking the Shield of Faith”]