3. “Feed the Hungry” Isn’t a Suggestion Either
“When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind.” – Luke 14:13
Read Matthew 25. Jesus describes the final judgment, and the criteria is shockingly practical: Did you feed the hungry? Clothe the naked? Visit the sick and imprisoned?
We’ve forgotten two critical things about this passage:
First: This is a command, not a suggestion for “when you have time after more important spiritual activities.”
Second: When we do these things for “the least of these,” Jesus takes it personally. He said, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Many churches are finally taking this seriously, involving their people in ministries to the forgotten and voiceless. But many more are still treating mercy ministry as optional—something for the “social justice types” while we focus on “real” spiritual matters.
Jesus would disagree.
4. Love Is Action, Not Emotion
“If you love me, keep my commands.” – John 14:15
We’ve spiritualized love into a feeling—something warm and fuzzy we experience during worship or quiet time.
Jesus defined love differently: Love is what you do.
When He commanded us to love our enemies in Luke 6, He immediately explained what that means:
- Do good to them
- Bless them
- Pray for them
- Give to them
Throughout the Upper Room discourse (John 13-16), Jesus hammered this point home: Whoever loves Him keeps His commands. Not whoever has the right emotions. Not whoever posts the most Scripture. Whoever does what He said.
Words matter. Emotions can matter. But nothing packs more punch than action.
5. We’re Supposed to Expect Persecution (So Stop Being Shocked)
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
Christians keep expecting to be loved and appreciated, then get blindsided when people respond with hostility.
“Why are they treating us this way? All I did was help them!”
“Where is God? What’s wrong?”
Answer: Nothing is wrong. You’re right on schedule.
Jesus warned us repeatedly: “You will be hated by all for my name’s sake” (Matthew 10:22). “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you” (John 15:20). “An hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God” (John 16:2).
We’ve forgotten these warnings, so when opposition comes, we’re shocked, angry, and confused. We shouldn’t be. Jesus told us this would happen.
