“Who
sinned,” the disciples asked Jesus upon encountering a man who'd
been blind from birth, “this man or his parents?” (John 9:1-2)
It is
commonly believed that one's physical state is a sign of God's
judgment. A cousin of the tendency to “blame the victim.”
While
we often want to debate the reasons for suffering and pain, Jesus cut
the debate off abruptly. “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,”
said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be
displayed in him.” (John 9:3)
Jesus
saw this man's disability as an opportunity to show God's love by healing
him. Jesus wants us to show God's love to those who suffer. In fact,
he closely identifies with the suffering.
“Then the King will say to those
on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the
kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was
hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I
was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I
was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me...’
‘...Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these
my brothers, you did it to me.’” Matthew 25:34-36
Spiritually successful Christians serve others. In this way, we show
God's love in practical ways. When we encounter a person in physical
or spiritual pain, our first instinct ought to be to offer love and
help. We must act quickly or lose opportunities. Hurting people will
withdraw from church if they feel unloved. Jesus said, “We must
work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming,
when no one can work.”
View
a video of “Sharing
God's Love”
This
is part of the sermon series “How To Be Spiritually Successful.”
It is based on the Masterlife study “The Disciple's Cross.”
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THE BOOK:
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