Christianity, at its core, is a faith that calls its followers to live out the teachings of Jesus Christ in their daily lives. Central to this calling is the imperative to spread the Word of God and engage in acts of charity.
This dual commitment reflects the essence of Christian faith, emphasizing the importance of evangelism and compassionate service. In this article, we will explore the profound reasons why Christians are called to spread the Word of God and be charitable, examining the theological, ethical, and practical dimensions of these imperatives.
Theological Foundation: Fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20)
The theological foundation for Christians to spread the Word of God is grounded in the Great Commission given by Jesus Himself. In the Gospel of Matthew (28:19-20), Jesus instructs His disciples, saying, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
This divine mandate serves as the bedrock for Christian evangelism. The call to make disciples is not an option but an imperative, reflecting the desire of Jesus for His followers to share the transformative message of salvation with the entire world. Spreading the Word of God becomes an act of obedience to Christ’s command, a tangible expression of allegiance to the Lordship of Jesus.
Compassion and Love as the Motivation
The motivation behind spreading the Word of God and engaging in charitable acts is deeply rooted in the teachings of Jesus, who embodied love and compassion throughout His earthly ministry. Christians are motivated by a genuine concern for the spiritual well-being of others, as well as a commitment to alleviating the physical and emotional needs of those who suffer.
The Gospel message itself is a proclamation of God’s love for humanity. Christians, having experienced this love, are compelled to share it with others. This motivation extends beyond a sense of duty; it is an outpouring of genuine compassion that seeks to meet individuals’ spiritual and tangible needs.
Building God’s Kingdom: A Vision for Transformation
Spreading the Word of God is not merely about individual salvation; it is also about building God’s kingdom on Earth. Christians believe that the transformative power of the Gospel has the potential to bring about positive societal change. By sharing the message of redemption, Christians contribute to a vision of a world marked by love, justice, and righteousness.
Acts of charity, rooted in the Christian ethos, play a vital role in manifesting this vision. When Christians engage in acts of compassion and service, they are actively participating in the process of building God’s kingdom by demonstrating the values of love, mercy, and justice.
Modeling Christ-Like Behavior: Charity as an Expression of Faith
Charitable acts serve as a tangible expression of Christian faith. Jesus Himself set the example of selfless service, demonstrating compassion through healing, feeding the hungry, and caring for the marginalized. Christians, as followers of Christ, are called to model this behavior in their own lives.
Charity becomes an extension of one’s faith, a visible expression of the love that Christians have experienced through their relationship with God. By engaging in acts of kindness and generosity, Christians become living testimonies to the transformative power of faith and demonstrate the principles of the Kingdom of God in action.
Addressing Both Spiritual and Physical Needs
The Christian call to spread the Word of God is holistic, addressing both the spiritual and physical needs of individuals. The Gospel offers a message of salvation and eternal life, addressing the deepest spiritual longing of humanity. Simultaneously, acts of charity address the immediate physical needs of those who are suffering, hungry, or in distress.
This holistic approach reflects the teachings of Jesus, who ministered to the whole person. Christians recognize the interconnectedness of the spiritual and physical aspects of human existence, and their commitment to both evangelism and charity reflects a desire to meet individuals at their point of need, whether spiritual or material.
Stewardship of Resources: Recognizing God’s Generosity
The call to be charitable is also rooted in the recognition that everything Christians have is a gift from God. Christians are stewards of the resources entrusted to them, and acts of charity reflect a recognition of God’s generosity. By sharing their resources with those in need, Christians embody the principle of stewardship and acknowledge that they are merely custodians of God’s blessings.
This understanding of stewardship extends to the spreading of the Word of God as well. Christians view the Gospel as a priceless treasure, and by sharing it with others, they are fulfilling their responsibility as stewards of the divine message of salvation.
Bearing Witness to God’s Love
Spreading the Word of God and practicing charity are intertwined acts of bearing witness to God’s love. The Apostle John, in his first letter, eloquently states, “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Christians, having experienced God’s love, are motivated to love others in return.
Sharing the Word of God becomes a testimony to the transformative love of God. By living out this love through charitable acts, Christians become living testimonies to the reality of God’s grace and compassion. Through their actions, they proclaim that love is not just a theological concept but a lived reality that can change lives.
The call for Christians to spread the Word of God and practice charity is deeply ingrained in the core of Christian identity. It is a theological imperative, rooted in the Great Commission and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Spreading the Word of God is an act of obedience, motivated by love and compassion for the spiritual well-being of others. Engaging in charitable acts is an expression of Christian faith, embodying the selfless service modeled by Jesus.
Together, these imperatives are the things that drive SM Gives. Learn more about the opportunities that are available for you to help share God in every nation.
