October 8, 2008 · 10:32 AM
God’s heart/compassion is close to the oppressed. How do I know that? Its throughout the Bible, and so often as followers of Christ we neglect HIS heart, and neglect to do what HE has already told us He wants. Just a suggestion…but maybe we are at a loss for what HE wants, alittle too much of asking for our boundaries to be expanded, and not enough of working it out where we are..just my thought… In Exodus 22:21-27, not only is HIS heart with them, but a stern warning that they will cry out to HIM, and it will kindle HIS anger. I have heard the arguments about this scripture being only for Isreal. But are we not the spiritual seed of Abraham? (Galations 3:29) If that is not enough to assure you that we are to be about this work, take a look at Daniel 4:27, Daniel’s advice to King Neb…repent..and be kind to the oppressed. I know I know I know…still old testament and still not convinced that it has anything to do with today in this present age. Look at Matthew 25: 31-46. This passage of scripture always lights a fire under me. Sheep or goats?? that is what is the question. Below I have listed the scripture for all to read from the HCSB. We seriously want to be sheep and not goats. There has been much talk of “Doing Something”, and Mandy started it up on line, and got a bunch of people motivated…I don’t think God is merely asking us, ya know if ya have any extra time…I think HE is telling us..DO SOMETHING! THIS IS MY HEART! One more argument..”I don’t know anyone” my advice to you is..pray to meet someone who needs your help. Tam has a post up that encourages us to meet our neighbors, wonder what we will find right out our door?
Exodus 22:21-27
21“You must not exploit a foreign resident or oppress him, since you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.
22“You must not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. 23If you do mistreat them, they will no doubt cry to Me, and I will certainly hear their cry. 24My anger will burn, and I will kill you with the sword; then your wives will be widows and your children fatherless.
25“If you lend money to My people—to the poor person among you, you must not be like a moneylender to him; you must not charge him interest.
26“If you ever take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral, return it to him before sunset. 27For it is his only covering; it is the clothing for his body. What will he sleep in? And if he cries out to Me, I will listen because I am compassionate.
Galations 3:29
29And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to the promise.
Daniel 4: 27
27Therefore, may my advice seem good to you my king. Separate yourself from your sins by doing what is right, and from your injustices by showing mercy to the needy. Perhaps there will be an extension of your prosperity.”
Matthew 25: 31-46
31“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on His right and the goats on the left. 34Then 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.
35 For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat;
I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink;
I was a stranger and you took Me in;
36 I was naked and you clothed Me;
I was sick and you took care of Me;
I was in prison and you visited Me.’
37“Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? 38When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or without clothes and clothe You? 39When did we see You sick, or in prison, and visit You?’
40“And the King will answer them, ‘I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’ 41Then He will also say to those on the left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels!
42 For I was hungry
and you gave Me nothing to eat;
I was thirsty
and you gave Me nothing to drink;
43 I was a stranger
and you didn’t take Me in;
I was naked
and you didn’t clothe Me,
sick and in prison
and you didn’t take care of Me.’
44“Then they too will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or without clothes, or sick, or in prison, and not help You?’
45“Then He will answer them, ‘I assure you: Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me either.’
46“And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
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Filed under Bible, Bible Study, Christianity, fatherless children, giving, God, life, Love, Ministry, needy, obedience, oppressed, outreach, widows
ponderings of a princess... 
We need to look – not just sit back and wait for something to come to us. I think Tam has a good post that goes with this.
Without much effort, we can find those who need help. We’re surrounded by hurting people…we need to reach. Thanks, Darla, for a pure word.
Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of God is to take care of widows and orphans in their distress and to keep one’s self unstained by the world. ~James, the half-bother of Jesus.
Phil 2:13 tells us that God works within His children both to “will” and to “do” of His good pleasure.
Why do I put that one out there? I am glas you asked. there is an element calling itself Christian out there that claims that things that we ‘do’ are part of the Gospel message unto salvation. – that a free cup of coffee, a free meal, and conversation will do more to save a soul than the gospel message that Christ died for our sins. That is a lie. A million free cups of coffee/free meals/pleasant conversations will not save a single soul unless part of the conversation includes the fact that Christ died for our sins and that message is received and believed.
I know this post, filled with scripture, is not about including ‘works’ as part of the s Gospel message that saves souls. Some of these very same scriptures are in fact used though, to say that works are necessary for salvation.
Thanks so much for this much-needed challenge!
Dan- i agree we can not work our way to heaven. A cup of coffee will not save anyone. BUT it does get me in the door to share the Gospel, and these scriptures don’t tell me to only help the believers in need, although I think they should be helped too. As a member of God’s family isn’t it our responsiblity to do the will of God when HE has clearly laid it out. That is kind of what I see in these verses, and Jesus modeled following God’s will…some of HIS will is laid out for us. Outreach is only hard til I move on it, and the ones who come to Christ through it totally break me..in a good way..the way God breaks a heart that someone like me would be used by HIM, amazing!
Michelle- as always I love to hear from you 🙂
Faith- you are precious, sista! thanks for the encouragement!
I think I got across that I wasn’t being critical save for the present day ‘wolves in sheep’s clothing who pervert the gospel of grace and turn it into a a ‘works-salvation message. 🙂
😆
I think Carl would say it is about leadership… (Hint)
He told me once that part of stepping up in leadership is be on your knees with a basin of water with dirty feet. Find the need and serve in love.
See my blog has gotten out of his box…
Dan.. I agree with you, and I agree with Darla…
And I agree with my Blog… 😉
Finding the need and filling it can open the door to preaching the Gospel of salvation. Many times Christ filled the need and then told the person what they must do to gain salvation.
But Dan you are right works alone will not ever be enough.
hey I just wanted to thank you for praying for me and always being so encouraged. I was just thinking about Neb tonight.
I am like whatever Lord you want to teach me through this storm I am going through I acknowledge that you are LORD!! Thanks Princess
“a little too much of asking for our boundaries to be expanded, and not enough of working it out where we are”
now that is SUCH a good word, Darla! and so right!
this is the exact thing that brent and i are convinced of as we go through this call on our lives at present time. we know God is prepping us for a “move”, whatever that may be….but NOT until (and we have both felt this strongly from Him) we work out HERE what we have not attended to for far too long.
thank you for this sister!
oh. and it isnt about “works” its about obedience. we havent been an obedient people.
True words, Darla. True words.
Carl- my blog went to sleep early last night 😦
I agree it starts with Leadership, and brother your new post totally nails it! Its my heart, its been my prayer for many years..sooo I see God moving in and through it. I am thanking the LORD this morning for showing me men who HE has already enabled to take their place. This is precious to me!
Jenny- what an awesome Princess you are, praying for you and I know that even through your pain, God shines so brightly to me, I have also been thinking about Neb lately, and praying to always acknowlege HIM as KING, and to follow through with the plans HE has even when I don’t get it. Love you girl more than you know!
Tam, my princess sister, Love you doesn’t sound like enough to express my heart about you. I am in the same place as you on the other side of the US, and sweetheart I feel your heart in this one.
Annie as always I love to hear from you !
Hi my daughter! this is a terrific post – I “almost” disagree w/Dan ! lol But he is technically right – !! However, (smile) Look at the fruits of the spirit that “should” be in us – and we will do good works. Its like a tire w/no air, its still a tire – but it has no purpose. Not much theology here but a few thoughts from a servant of my Savior! :o)
papa- 😆 I must be your daughter..I totally get what just said! 😉
Good morning Darla. 😀
I love the way that you saturate your blog with scripture. ‘Tis evidence of a life saturated in scripture as well.
Oh, I added you to my ‘rides’ page (blogroll), just thought I would let you know.
Hope your Monday goes well.
Thank YOU @ngie! you encourage me to keep on keeping on…thanks for the “ride luv”…