Sharing the Gospel of God Through What We Do

Prayer-Soldier

Sharing the Gospel of God Through What We Do

Scripture:

The life of man upon earth is a warfare, and his days are like the days of a hireling. As a servant longs for the shade, as the hireling looks for the end of his work; so I also have had empty months, and have numbered to myself wearisome nights. If I lie down to sleep, I shall say: When shall I rise? And again, I shall look for the evening, and shall be filled with sorrows even till darkness. My flesh is clothed with rottenness and the filth of dust; my skin is withered and drawn together. My days have passed more swiftly than the web is cut by the weaver, and are consumed without any hope. (Job 7:1-7)

For if I preach the gospel, it is no glory to me: for a necessity lies upon me. For woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel. For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation is committed to me. What is my reward then? That preaching the gospel, I may deliver the gospel without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. For whereas I was free as to all, I made myself the servant of all, that I might gain the more.

To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak. I became all things to all men, that I might save all. And I do all things for the gospel?s sake, that I may be made partaker thereof. (1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23)

And immediately going out of the synagogue they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. And the mother of the wife of Simon lay in a fit of a fever: and forthwith they tell him of her. And coming to her, he lifted her up, taking her by the hand; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them. And when it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all that were ill and that were possessed with devils. And all the city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many that were troubled with divers diseases. And he cast out many devils: and he suffered them not to speak, because they knew him.

And rising very early, going out, he went into a desert place: and there he prayed. And Simon and they that were with him followed after him. And when they had found him, they said to him: All seek for thee. And he said to them: Let us go into the neighboring towns and cities, that I may preach there also; for to this purpose am I come. And he was preaching in their synagogues and in all Galilee and casting out devils. (Mark 1:29-39)

Reflection:

We have days of comfort, days of toil and days of struggle. From each moment we face there is something which we may learn. In times of happiness we should offer thanks, for our truest comforts come from God. In times of trial we should equally offer thanks, for it is challenge which sharpens us. In the face of the test we gain wisdom and strength. Even if we should fail in the moment, we gain understanding as to how we might do what is right in the next.

Though we may face persecution for our faith, we should not weep; rather, we should stand confident that what we suffer in this time will prepare us for when there will be no despair. If we suffer on behalf of the Lord and the children of His creation, we may feel the pain of the moment, but God will see and will come and provide our eternal comfort.

As we face those who would oppress us, we should pray for them for what we may suffer at their hands will be reflected upon them in the time to come. We should not seek revenge; rather, we should pray for their forgiveness just as we pray for forgiveness of what we do which may offend our Lord. If we are not willing to forgive, then, how is it we should expect to be forgiven?

It is not what we say which encourages others to receive the gospel, but the efforts of our day. If we boast in the Word of the Lord, but we do not have kindness in our hands, then, what example do we provide? We share more when we share of ourselves in kindness than when we share words of condemnation for those who fail to understand to what we are called through the Holy Spirit.

We are called to share the gospel, but if we only share words and do not share actions in example of the Word, we do not give strength to the truth. It is not ours to condemn; rather, we are called to encourage. We cannot force the Word upon those who are not willing to receive it, but if they see the Word in action, we might raise their curiosity. If others see the blessings of the Word through what we do in living the Word, then, it is right to explain what we do so that others may understand and may be encouraged to follow that with which we are blessed.

If we fail to follow the Word, we should pray that we are forgiven for our faults and that we may leave our failings behind. If we see the faults of others, we should not judge, rather, we should pray that they will see the path to repentance as we would hope that others would pray for us that we may too turn from that which leads to eternal destruction.

Our Savior did not come to us with empty words; rather, He came to us with works and examples of living the Word. He did not ask us to marvel at His miracles, but to believe in the ways of His Father for they are works of the Word; works of healing, charity and forgiveness. The works of the Son are works of love to help us understand what was poured out for us so that we might understand that to which each of the children of His creation are called.

Blessed are those who have seen the works of the Lord and have fallen to their knees in prayers of thanks and praise for what they have seen. Blessed are those who have joined in the works of the Lord, for what they do in love and charity they do in response to the calling of His voice by their hearts.

He came to us to speak the Word and to show the Word. Let us, then, follow Him through what we say and what we do, for what we do will honor Him more that what we say. He stood in defense of the defenseless and in charity for the poor; we honor Him when we too stand in defense of the defenseless and in charity for those less fortunate.

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier