Without Hesitation: Seeing to the Needs of our Brothers & Sisters-in-Christ & Preaching the Word
Let’s be honest; we can be selfish people. Maybe it’s just me, but I love doing WHAT I want to do WHEN I want to do it—even during the times when a brother or sister is in need. That’s the selfishness and self-centeredness which consumes us from our conception, that overwhelms us, and which will become us—IF WE ALLOW IT TO BECOME OUR DAILY PATTERN.
Nonetheless, the Bible speaks of another action that should become us (those who have believed and have received the salvation of Jesus). We are to:
“Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”
(The Letter of Paul to the Galatians 6: 2 NASB)
Remember, we are the “body of Christ” who collectively are called to Christ Jesus’ Great Commission, be “on mission” collectively (Co) as God’s people. This fact reminds me so much of my high school days. When I was a teen, I joined the JROTC in school, and oftentimes, I have told others how this series of courses during my junior and senior years taught me so much. We were small in number; nevertheless, Colonel Barlow placed us in certain roles and ordered us to do our jobs (which we did without any lip). If you are unfamiliar with the inner-workings of the military, then know that within the whole of the military, there are battalions, comprised of numerous companies. I believe we had two companies within our school. One student (Johnny) was given the role of XO, meaning he was the battalion commander and reported directly to our instructor (the colonel). Johnny then shared with the company commanders the colonel’s instructions, who then shared them with the lieutenants, who then shared the commands with the sergeants (the platoon leaders). You see, within the military, a company is comprised of numerous platoons, who are then made up of a host of soldiers.
We marched together, and if any of us marched off-beat, then the entire platoon, company, and battalion was affected. When we marched in unison, it was a sight to behold. Now, granted, civilians are not part of the military; however, in the Word of God we read how believers are part of God’s army. Interesting, right?!
We see this truth in the Old Testament.
“Now it came about when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand, and Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us or for our adversaries?”
(The Book of Joshua 5: 13-15 NASB)
He said, “No; rather I indeed come now as captain of the host of the LORD.”
And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and bowed down, and said to him, “What has my lord to say to his servant?”
The captain of the LORD’S host said to Joshua, “Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.”
Without hesitation, Joshua obeyed the LORD’S captain.
Without hesitation, Joshua recognized the captain was part of the LORD’S host.
Without hesitation, Joshua removed his sandals, just as he was commanded.
Without hesitation, Joshua obeyed the LORD.
Whenever and wherever the commander of the LORD’S army appears, then the Bible records the interaction in military terms, often speaking of the spiritual battle that wages between good and evil. Joshua, the servant of the LORD, was called by God to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land, and they faced their first battle, the conquest of Jericho. We must remember the remarkable way the LORD fought the battle for His people, but only because they obediently followed His orders.
Believers, we are part of God’s army, and the Lord Jesus Christ gave us His Great Commission:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you;
(The Gospel According to Matthew 28: 19-20 NASB)
and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
The presence of the Spirit of God is continually with us, comforting and helping us.
God is present amid our mess.
God is near even on the hard days.
He will care for us and help us walk through to do His will.
He will lead us to those who need to hear the Good News.
The LORD will guide us to those who have needs.
The LORD will help us “bear one another’s burdens.”
We must obey—without hesitation—whenever and wherever the Holy Spirit moves us to action.
Not only do we read about God’s army in the Old Testament, we also see this truth in the New Testament.
“And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean,
(The Revelation to John 19: 14-16 NASB)
were following Him on white horses.
From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.
And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written,
“KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Do we see how heavenly armies follow Christ?
Do we see how believers comprise God’s army?
Do we see the judgment of Almighty God?
Do we see the image of our leader, our commander?
Tauren Wells sings the melody “Here Comes the Church,” a song we may need to hear and remember what our future holds. Whenever and wherever the spiritual battle occurs, Christians are called spiritual soldiers, wearing (as the Bible records in The Letter of Paul to the Ephesians) the “whole armor of God” ready to fight the fight before us.
Believers, we are part of God’s army, and the LORD has given us His Great Co-Mission, meaning we are comprised of numerous soldiers, working together, moving in formation together, speaking together, and fighting against the evil workings of Satan–together. Therefore, we must obey our commander, the LORD—without hesitation! We are commissioned to go—whenever and wherever the Holy Spirit moves us to action.
“This is His commandment,
(The First Letter of John 3: 23-24 NASB)
that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ,
and love one another, just as He commanded us.
The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him.
We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.”