Posted on 05/24/2024 10:13:08 AM PDT by Drew68
Thank you
Yes, he was good. He not only paid his bills, he put him on his own donkey and took care of him as best he could. This was a parable of Jesus demonstrating how we should love our neighbor sacrificially.
If you mean to imply that benevolent works are fine without including gospel teaching, then okay - you are correct - we should not fail to do a good work even if we do not have the opportunity right then to share the gospel.
I do believe, however, that long-term planning of a missionary trip should include scheduling time to share the good news of Jesus. Any group can do "good works" - the rotary club, the shriners, and various cults can do benevolent projects. Christians are reflecting the light of Jesus as they serve sacrificially and bring the news of his salvation.
1 Corinthians 7:16-17 New International Version
16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
17 Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.
(Now we can fuss over what does THIS mean ;^)
I love that scripture. To me it sounds like the context is new Christians making decisions about their previous life choices and circumstances that have present day consequences. Paul tells them to not make radical life changes - but to live your new redeemed, repentant “believer” life within those circumstances.
Now everything in their lives will be blessed by the reality of the new life in Christ.
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