The Privilege of Caring for Each Other

This week I have had the privilege of hanging out with friends, teenagers, and family. Away to do ministry in Montana, then on to youth camp, and arriving home, I have enjoyed the trip. I arrived home and became sick with a new round of COVID. I am sure I picked it up at camp; but nonetheless, I have it. Since the trip was over on Wednesday, I have basically been quarantined at home.

As I have been at home, I have enjoyed study time. Basically quarantined from the family, I have had my Bible, books, my electronic books, and my notes.  As I have studied, I have been paid special attention to these verses:

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: (Rom 12:6)

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Rom 12:9-21)

Powerful text. Let me share a couple of ideas with you.

One Another Ministry of Care and Concern

If you read over this instruction to us, you will see that we all receive gifts from God by grace. As we get these gifts, we use them to serve other people. Our gifts are to be used to serve others. With these gifts, notice what we do:

• Consistent and pure love
• Be committed to doing good
• Kind toward each other
• Brotherly love
• Giving honor to each other
• Begin diligent toward each other
• Serving the Lord as we serve each other
• Rejoicing in hope
• Patient in troubles
• Steadfastly praying for each other
• Give as necessary with generosity
• Sharing what you have
• Bless those who seek to persecute you
• Rejoice with those who rejoice
• Weep with those who weep
• Be of the same mind toward each other
• Associate with the humble
• Do not be wise in your own wisdom

What a list!

God provides us gifts and grace to diligently serve each other. And, not just simply serving, but instead, diligently serving.

We look for opportunities to serve others well.

What Does this Ministry Look Like?

This ministry looks and sounds like care and compassion. Comfort. Consolation.

We focus, motivated by the mercy we have received from God, on graciously and compassionately serving others. Not primarily thinking of ourselves, but instead, considering the need of the other person.

Do you see the focus? You care about the other person from a heart touched by the grace of God. You do not primarily consider yourself. Instead, you think of the need of the other person. While you think of their needs, you ministry out of the grace God provides to you.

Two steps:

First, thank of the other person’s situation. Put yourself in his or her shoes to consider this other person’s plight. What is going on? How is the person responding?  How does he or she see it? Is there sin? Suffering? What is going on here?

Second, serve accordingly. Do something. In care and compassion, weep. In care and compassion, rejoice. Whatever the need in the moment, in care and compassion, we seek to do that thing for our fellow brother and sister-in-Christ.

Praise the Lord!

Amen and amen. Praise God for His grace. Praise God for His provision to use that grace to bless others.