This is an except from a work I did some time ago –
"A COMPASSIONATE MINISTRY:....A CALL TO MINISTRY, TO THE LEAST OF THESE."
The Scriptural record is clear. Humanity and each human has been and is made in Image of God. Each human has value, no matter what his or her social, relational, intellectual, economic, relational, or other status in the world. Throughout Scripture image holds a special place and is mentioned frequently. The Old Testament in the English Bible seems to have at least 65 overt usages of this word. The New Testament similarly has a number of usages of this specific term. Sometimes the usage of the term image is positive and sometimes it is negative. It becomes clearer that image is important when one sees that Genesis begins the discussion of the image of God and the relationship to man when it states, “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (NIV Genesis 1:27) Several more times the author of Genesis includes the terms image or image and likeness as in Genesis 5:3 and Genesis 9:5-7. All of these passages indicate a special relationship of mankind to God and the high value God places on each individual. In fact, Genesis 9:6 outlines the penalty for shedding the blood of man. “He who sheds the blood of a man must have his own blood shed because mankind is made in God’s image.”(NIV Genesis 9:6) Clearly there is something special in the relationship and specifically because the image and likeness of man is of God. The Psalms continue this trend by pointing out that God “…made him a little lower than god and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet :”( NIV Psalm 8:5-6) The New Testament continues this trend and expands upon the concept in several ways. Acts 17 indicates a more robust relationship to Christ when it says “For in him (Christ) we live and move and have our being.” (NIV Acts 17:28) Paul’s writings rearticulate this concept and include that man is in the image of Christ as in 1 Corinthians 11:7. Later on in Romans Paul expands this concept to include that man should “be conformed to the likeness of his Son.” (NIV Romans 8:29) Finally, Ephesians 4:23-24 shows that man is “created to be like God…” Bearing or resembling an image was important for the people of Biblical era. Clearly also this concept and it’s ramifications were and are important since God made humanity in His image and desires humans to be conformed to the image of His Son Jesus Christ.
EXPECTATIONS FOR MANKIND
If Christians worship the God who has all of the aforementioned characteristics, one would expect Christians to be like and obey the One they worship. The questions then becomes, where should a Christian start? Again, from an appropriate Scriptural stance, humans must do first things first. That is to say, individuals should respond to God like Moses responded in Exodus 34:8 - "Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped. "O Lord, if I have found favor in your eyes," he said, "then let the Lord go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us as your inheritance." Moreover and more specifically as illustrated in the passages dealing with Judah in Isaiah, Christians must obey the call to repentance and seeking out justice as when the Lord said, "wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed, defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow." (NIV Isaiah 1:16-17) Jesus demonstrates His concern in many ways and many places in the New Testament. It is clearly seen in Luke 13:34 when He states "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!" The lifestyle mandate is clear, God calls the church to repentance, worship, and expression, or more succinctly put - action. Understanding the lifestyle mandate, how can and should the household of faith respond?
THE RESULTING LIFESTYLE MANDATE
The central activities or foci of the Christian life should be first to know and worship God and then to express the Love of God in one's activities. Clear thinking for any Christian and especially one doing compassion ministry dictates that one must follow the command of Jesus in Mark 8:34 when He says "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." This is a key component of doing a compassionate ministry.
WRAPPING IT UP
Matthew 9:35-36, states that "Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." What this means to me is that as ministers, we must be "abounding in love and faithfulness to all", even and especially to a specific type or group of people. This must be done from a humble stance, in a collegial manner with fellow members of the household of faith and to the ones being served. Ministry must begin and focus on small acts, great love, developing persons God given gifts, both within the group of ministers and to the group ministered. It may not be easy to live like God and His essential characteristics. It is definitely not easy to live like the Trinity with other people. We are all so broken. There will be struggle in service to others. It will be confusing sometimes because you will need to figure out what desires and passions God has given you and your ministry group. You may not know what the passions and desires are. You will have to find out. You will have to ask God. You will have to ask others to confirm God's response to you. You will have to do what God says to do. You will have to do it with humility. In the final analysis you must find out God's plan and then go do it! There will be stumbling blocks. You will fail. You will be afraid of trying again. The good news is that you will overcome all of these things with God's help. Last but not least, while the length and depth of the Scriptural analysis may have seemed to be a bit more than anticipated for the sake of this particular exercise, it is essential to realize that a thorough grounding in scripture is a an essential foundation for any ministry, especially a compassion ministry to the least of these, the oppressed, and the disenfranchised.
Are you denying yourself, taking up your cross, and following Jesus? If so, how? If not, why don't you start by praying for children and orphans and taking a few simple steps to assist them?
Humbly Seeking Justice, Encouraging the Oppressed, & Defending The Orphan;
Paul Williams
paulwilliams@isaiahscry.org
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