The Body of Christ – Part 2

Last week’s article looked at the responsibility of the body to carry out the Lord’s will in evangelism.  There are other areas where the body has obligations toward the Lord as His body. A second area for the body to function is in helping others.  We have an obligation to help our brothers and sisters in Christ when they are faced with a need.  James wrote about such help as an exercise of faith (James 2).  Jesus clearly stated such actions, or lack thereof, will be used as a standard in the judgment.  These deal with the meeting of physical needs.  James mentioned hunger and nakedness as areas of help.  Jesus spoke of feeding hungry brethren and providing water to the thirsty.

Jesus also mentioned other areas of need.  He addressed taking in the stranger, visiting the sick, and going to the imprisoned.  Taking in the stranger would involve providing hospitality to travelers, that is a place to sleep for the night, some food, and drink.  There were no Holiday Inns at Jerusalem or Capernaum.  Often the synagogue was where a Jewish traveler found such hospitality in the first century. Christians would not find such help extended to them once they were recognized as a distinct group rather than as a sect of the Jews.

Today, taking in strangers may involve helping church members who are newcomers to the community find their way around town.  Help them locate a doctor, dentist, auto mechanic, bank, etc.  These may sound like little things but they are necessities for most people, and a newcomer
often has no idea where to begin the process.

Visiting the sick involves visiting the one who is sick, but may also require visits to the other family members with a view to helping them during the present situation and into future.  In cases of terminal illness, family members need the support and encouragement of brothers and sisters in Christ for here and now as well as the future.  Paul wrote, we need to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.  Not all weeping takes place after the departure of a loved one.

Jesus cares about people.  It was often recorded that He was moved with compassion toward people who were suffering.  He now wants us, as those who serve as His hands and feet, to act with compassion toward the suffering of our day.

Jesus even spoke of visiting those in prison.  These were Christians who committed the crime of being Christians.  There is a need to visit those who may make a foolish choice and end up in trouble with the law. They may need encouragement to repent and restore their fellowship with God.  Faithful Christians need to approach the one in trouble with the intent of showing the importance of the soul to God and the church.

Brethren may we stop and prayerfully consider our obligations as the body of Christ and pledge to fulfill them to the very best of our ability to God’s glory.

--- Denny