Hands and Feet
As many know, we are currently remodeling the space where we typically sing songs of worship, preach the Word, and counsel those who come to the Food Pantry for assistance. That being said, we are unable to meet in this area, and all the volunteers are outside under portable tents in a drive-through arrangement. Regardless of the temporary change, people who come are being prayed over, and the gospel is being advanced. I am so thankful for and cannot be any more encouraged by Oakhill’s volunteers serving at the Food Pantry, who have faithfully shown up to be the hands and feet of Jesus, giving of their time and talent, bearing the weather and tremendous heat, to make Christ known.
I have heard many people who follow Jesus use the phrase, “Let’s show them Christ.” This statement holds deep truth, as many passages in Scripture remind us of this principle. In Matthew 5:16, Jesus tells us, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” In this passage, Jesus emphasizes the difference between salt and light: salt is useless if it has lost its flavor, while light is essential and must be visible. In Galatians 2:20, we are also reminded how our lives are an expression of faith in Christ, where the Word proclaims, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Merely demonstrating our faith in Christ through our actions, however, is not enough to convey the full message of the gospel. Simply telling someone that you are providing them with food because you want to share the love of Christ does not complete the gospel message. Similarly, saying “Jesus loves you; go and be well” is not sufficient on its own. We are to show by example that it is Christ in whom we serve with our lives, but more importantly, we are to proclaim the message of Christ with our mouths. Anything less than sharing the essential truths that the apostle Paul emphasized—“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)—falls short of truly sharing the gospel. The core message is this: God created the world and everything in it, man sinned, Christ redeemed us, and each of us has the responsibility to respond to the gospel.
The pressing question for each of us is whether we are equipped, ready, and prepared to proclaim this Good News. Are we boldly confident and enthusiastically looking for opportunities to tell people who desperately need to hear, just like we needed to hear it, that “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mk 1:15)? Yes and Amen, show people Christ with your lives, but more importantly, proclaim to them the gospel. Richard Baxter had this sense of urgency right when he said that “I preached as never sure to preach again, and as a dying man to dying men.” This is not just for the pastor, but for everyone who says they belong to Christ. The same sense of urgency to preach the gospel is for each of us who follows Jesus, as we are not promised another moment of breath this side of eternity. Therefore, show them Christ, go and proclaim the Good News!
