An Oasis:
On a recent trip to South Wales, Rachel and I were visiting some good friends, and in the middle of our conversation we began to reflect upon the parable of the Good Samaritan.
I’m not certain if you’re familiar with the story, but here’s the bare bones.
At one time, there was a man travelling alone, in the middle of nowhere.
On route, he was attacked by thieves who stole by using violence.
He was a victim of aggression. In fact, they took everything he had, and went off leaving him almost dead!
By chance, a clergyman was travelling along the same road – but when he saw him he cut across to the other side of the road!
Then another religious man appeared, but likewise, he also kept out of the way of the bruised and traumatised man.
Soon afterwards, a good neighbour, who was undertaking a journey along the same road came upon him. When he saw the state of the man, his heart went out to him.
Immediately, he gave him attention and care – soothing and bandaging his wounds.
Then using his own feeble mode of transport, he took him to a hotel. There, he provided him with comfort and relief.
In the morning, he paid the hotel owner, saying, “Look after my friend. If it costs any more, put it on my account – I’ll pay you when I return.”1.
Hey! What an OASIS experience!
But consider this, dear friends, do you think we’ll get anywhere in this world if we’re politically correct, and learn all the right words but never do anything?
Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person knows it all, and really has it? For instance, we come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, “Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!” and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup – where does that get us? Nowhere!
Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?2.
Hum!
This is how we’ve come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed His life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for each other, and not just be out for ourselves.
If we see someone in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God’s love? It disappears. And we’ve made it disappear.3.
Today, as we bear this in mind, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love.
God’s desire for us is to have a life which is active and compassionate.
As we look at the life and ministry of Jesus – He assured us that He never planned to start a new religion, but rather, He wanted to show us a new way of living.
His instruction and encouragement to us – is the same today as it was in days back yonder. Never pass by on the other side!
Indeed, as we practice living in God’s love – we can appear to many as an OASIS - a shelter serving as a place of safety or sanctuary, a haven, a help in time of need.
Now, that’s something to think about. Something to act upon!
English: Contemporary English Version (UK) - CEV-UK
30 Jesus replied: As a man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, robbers attacked him and grabbed everything he had. They beat him up and ran off, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road. But when he saw the man, he walked by on the other side. 32 Later a temple helper temple helper: A man from the tribe of Levi, whose job it was to work around the temple. came to the same place. But when he saw the man who had been beaten up, he also went by on the other side. 33 A man from Samaria then came travelling along that road. When he saw the man, he felt sorry for him : . 34 and went over to him. He treated his wounds with olive oil and wine olive oil and wine: In New Testament times these were used as medicine. Sometimes olive oil is a symbol for healing by means of a miracle . and bandaged them. Then he put him on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next morning he gave the innkeeper two silver coins and said, “Please take care of the man. If you spend more than this on him, I will pay you when I return.” 36 Then Jesus asked, “Which one of these three people was a real neighbour to the man who was beaten up by robbers?” 37 The teacher answered, “The one who showed pity.” Jesus said, “Go and do the same!”
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English: Contemporary English Version (UK) - CEV-UK
Faith and works 14 My friends, what good is it to say you have faith, when you don't do anything to show that you really do have faith? Can that kind of faith save you? 15 If you know someone who doesn't have any clothes or food, 16 you shouldn't just say, “I hope all goes well for you. I hope you will be warm and have plenty to eat.” What good is it to say this, unless you do something to help? 17 Faith that doesn't lead us to do good deeds is all alone and dead!
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English: Contemporary English Version (UK) - CEV-UK
16 We know what love is because Jesus gave his life for us. That's why we must give our lives for each other. 17 If we have all we need and see one of our own people in need, we must have pity on that person, or else we cannot say we love God.
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