How much food has been given to the hungry in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ? How much medical care has been ministered to the sick, and how many hospitals have been built for His honor? How many people have found shelter through the generosity and sacrifice of Christians? And how many acts of self sacrificial kindness have believers performed through the ages, the vast majority of which no one ever knew? (often including those who were the direct beneficiaries of the blessing).
Surely in the course of 2,000 years, the answer is in the trillions. The love of Christ motivates until this very hour countless bestowals of God's provision in the most tangible forms and expressions. Imagine the world without this force for good. It's a dark and horrible thought, and one that causes us first to look with thanksgiving toward Heaven and the Motivator of such lovingkindness. Then, we remember the wonder that is the body of Christ, appreciating the response of fellow believers through the ages whose faith in the Lord Jesus led to (and leads to) to their being His hands, His feet, and His heart in the world. "I will dwell in them and walk in them" (II Corinthians 6:16).
This is written as a simple reminder of a truth we all know, but which we can easily overlook. The Spirit of the Lord Jesus continues the work He began during His earthly lifetime. He does so now in us, and we must expect to be led into venues of need where our Savior purposes to once again provide, feed, nurture, comfort, heal and bless. All is done to point to the deeper need for His saving grace of the spirit. And all is done because the heart of God is ever drawn to the need of man, and His presence in us means that our hearts are drawn as well.
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father."
(John 14:12)
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