Vessels of Love
"But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." - 1 Timothy 1:5
Today's text takes me back to my time on the Beto Unit and Leslie Parker's monthly service. Mr. Parker dedicated every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to preaching the gospel in various Texas Prisons. He passionately instructed us and let his love shine through. When certain inmates would disrupt the service with gang meetings or drug transactions in the back of the chapel, he would stop mid-sentence and tell them, "I didn't give up going to my son's baseball game to allow you to disrespect my Lord. You may not want to hear the Gospel, but you are not going to prevent others from hearing it. Either be quiet, or you can leave." Ironically, they respected the chastisement, and many of them later repented, were saved, and became witnesses themselves due to Mr. Parker’s testimony.
Mr. Parker worked as a full-time plumber yet sacrificed almost every weekend to share the Word of God with those written off by society as unredeemable. He spoke with passion because he truly loved us and because of his passion, hearts were converted, and lives were changed. Mr. Parker was a simple plumber, but God used him to impact countless lives. Sons, brothers, and fathers were transformed to become the men that God called them to be. The men were then able to testify of God's power when their families noticed the transformation. Imagine the impact made for the Kingdom simply because one person was a willing vessel of love. Mr. Parker confessed that no greater joy exists than walking in the will of God. Although he wanted to be with his family, he surrendered his time because Jesus surrendered everything for him.
In Matthew 25:34-46, Jesus welcomes His servants and rewards them for feeding and clothing Him, giving Him a drink, and visiting Him in prison. In the same way, He sent others away for not doing these things unto Him. Those in both categories were similarly perplexed asking, when did we do these things to you? Jesus answered them, “when you did or did not do it for the least of these thy brethren, it was really done unto me.” It was not some monumental feat that they had accomplished, but they served God by choosing daily to love and to put others’ needs first.
The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, warned the church about judging each other, trying to earn salvation according to the law, and backbiting. He then called them to love and sacrifice (Galatians 5:13-26). He instructed them to "walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the deeds of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16) Each of us has a choice that we must make in every situation. I must choose if am I going to follow the Spirit's leading or if am I going to walk in the flesh. The flesh screams that I deserve better, while the Spirit whispers that He deserves it all.
Not all of us are called to prison ministry or to be in the pulpit on Sundays, but we are all called for a purpose. Whether we are doctors, teachers, or plumbers, we are to do all for the glory of Christ. We are to represent Christ in each situation and to every person we meet. When we are wronged, the natural response is to give back just as much, if not more, than we were harmed. Jesus instead calls us to forgive others and to offer them what they intend to steal from us. We are called to love the unlovable and to give hope to the hopeless. We are to be living Bibles that the lost can read.
Jesus never promised that the road would be easy or that we will never fail. Just remember that He surrendered His life to save us. He loves us and will see us through all of our mistakes and poor choices. He uses the weak to shame the strong so that His power shows through. Jesus does not call the prepared, but He prepares those He has called. He provides everything needed to fulfill His plan. All we need to be is willing vessels of love.
Our mission can start with the next person we meet.
