There are some things in life that are
necessary, actually, mandatory. Paul expressed this in the 13th
Chapter of 1 Corinthians, the “Love” chapter. In verses 1-3 he tells us that
though he speak with the tongues of angels, but without love (charity) he
becomes as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. He goes on to say that even if
he had the gift of prophecy and understood all mysteries, and had all knowledge
and faith that would move mountains…..without love, it would be nothing.
Finally, he contends that if he gave everything he had to the poor so they
could be fed, and if he even give his body to be burned……yes, without love, it
would profit him nothing! You know the rest of the verses in this great
discourse on love. Many have memorized these passages. Love is necessary,
actually mandatory. Without it, all is for naught.
Love is what motivated God to send His Son to die for our sins (John
3:16; Romans 5:8). God, in turn, expects love to be the motivating factor in
our service to Him and to our fellow man.
He tells us this in John 13:34-35: “A new commandment I give unto you,
That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one
to another.” The world should be able to see our Lord living in us by our
behavior. Note that John said, a new “commandment” I give unto you. This was
not an option. Christianity depends upon us being able to show the love of God
to others so they will have a desire to be saved. The God of heaven has blessed
each of us with abilities and talents. We all have something to offer to the
Lord. Many have been blessed abundantly! Some of my sisters are able to teach
children, sing, cook, clean for others or clean the building, organize
classroom materials, visit or care for the shut-ins, have Bible studies with
other ladies, send out correspondence courses and cards, set up Bible studies
with friends for the elders/preachers/ make clothing, care for the sick, write
articles, type the bulletin and the list could go on. All of these are needful
things in the Lord’s kingdom, and I have seen some who were able to do all of
the above. As a woman of God, I pray for all of my dear sisters who are so actively
involved in the work of the Lord and I thank God for each and every one of
them. I do, however, continue to pray for those who have talents or abilities
and have chosen not to use them to glorify the Lord. I am ever impressed
with the skills that many of my sisters possess, many of which I wish I had,
yet they are used in secular ways, or simply held tightly within. They do not
volunteer and when asked to assist they
often are not to be found. They have skills but lack the will or desire
to serve. Ladies we need you! We need ALL of you and your various blessings. If
you have a skill and you do not have the will to use it, then it is nothing, or
nil. It leaves a void in the work of the Lord. Please consider the following
Scripture: “From whom the WHOLE body fitly joined together and compacted by
that which EVERY joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the
measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself
in love,” (Ephesians 4:16). For the body to work effectively, for it to grow
properly, the way God planned it, we all need to be holding hands and working
together in love. Love is that cement which holds us together in Christ.
It
is my prayer that we will all give serious consideration to these Bible Scriptures
and determine today to cultivate a desire to use our talents for His kingdom,
and to expand our talents as we have opportunity. Love should motivate us and
desire should spur us on to greater works.
Remember:
Skill – Will = Nil!
Nancy is the wife of Bill Goring, who serves as a gospel
preacher and elder for the Chipman Road church of Christ in Lee’s Summit,
Missouri. She has 4 children, 11 grandchildren and has taught Bible class for
over 40 years, speaks at Ladies Day gatherings and has published several books
including: Behavior Becoming Holiness: Studies in Titus Chapter 2
and Overcoming our Self-Imposed Prisons.
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