Who Will Thank You When All Has Been Said and Done?

Are you familiar with the song, “Thank You,” by Ray Boltz? This soft, simple tune from 1988 lacks the amped-up instrumentation and energetic vocals of much of today’s Christian rock music, but it packs a powerful message of hope and inspiration.

 

The lyrics tell about a person who dies, goes to heaven and discovers the impact of his life he had never known. He encounters a boy who met Jesus Christ while he was teaching a Sunday school class; another who came to faith through a missionary he supported, and then a slew of other people whose lives he had touched in other ways without being aware of it.

 In our society we tend to pay homage to the popular preachers, best-selling authors and celebrated singers, but as “Thank You” teaches, the greatest difference for the kingdom of God can be made by ordinary folks going about their ordinary lives. It reminds me of the theme from the iconic Christmas film, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” in which George Bailey is rescued from the depth of despair when he learns how the selflessness and sacrifices made during his life had positively affected so many other people.

 

Jesus taught this principle to the disciples in His parable about separating the sheep from the goats. In the story, the King tells His true followers – the sheep – to prepare for receiving their rightful inheritance:

“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 invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

 

When they ask when they had done these things for the King, He replies, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:31-40). Then He compares them to the “goats,” who had done none of these acts of kindness and compassion – and instead of eternal rewards, would receive eternal punishment.

 

This particular parable could be examined in different ways, but what’s most interesting to me is that the people being commended in this story didn’t even remember having done these kind deeds. I can think of several folks to whom I have had the opportunity to express my appreciation for what they added to my life, and in most instances they had no idea of the impact they had made.

 

In His Great Commission, recounted in Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus told His followers, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations….” A possibly better translation of the opening phrase would be, “As you are going, make disciples.” In a similar way, as we grow in our faith, seeking to serve the Lord and His people, we’re to do this as we are going. There’s a place for planning special events and undertaking major projects, but I believe that from God’s perspective, our best work is accomplished simply as we are going along in our lives.

 

It's not a matter of what we must do for God, but rather, as we yield ourselves to Him as “instruments of righteousness” (Romans 6:13), it’s what we allow Him to do through us – even things of which we are totally unaware.

Love Your Neighbor. But Which Ones?

When considering God’s commands for mankind, we typically think about the “do-nots,” especially those specified in Exodus 20, Deuteronomy 5, and elsewhere. These include: Do not worship other gods; do not profane the name of God; do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not lie; do not covet what others have.

But “don’t” commandments like these are relatively easy to observe. We would know if we murdered someone, or committed adultery, or stole something. If we’re told not to do something, and then we do it, we’d have to be in denial not to realize we’ve broken the command from God. The more difficult commandments are the ones framed in the positive, things the Lord said we should do.

Maybe that’s why, when a religious leader asked Jesus which is the greatest of all commandments – as recounted in Matthew 22 and Mark 12 – He didn’t offer a lists of don’ts. Instead, Jesus summarized the intent of all the commandments by stating two “simple” things to do: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There are no commandments greater than these” (Mark 12:30-31).

Sounds easy, right? Not really. How do we know when – and if – we’ve fully observed either one? The greatest commandment – to love God with all that we are and all we have – has been the subject of countless sermons, and many more to come. For now, I’d like to look at the second great commandment: to love our neighbor as ourselves. 

To underscore just how hard “loving your neighbor” can be, one time Jesus told another leader – called “an expert in the law” – that to inherit eternal life, he also should love God, and “love your neighbor as yourself.” Seeking clarification, this official inquired, “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29). Maybe this question was sincere; maybe the guy was just looking for some kind of exception. You can’t really love everyone, can you?  Regardless, it was a good question. One we each should ask of ourselves.

It applies to the ongoing debate about immigration on the southern borders of the United States. Opinions and positions are strong, and in many respects, polarized on this question. But I think it applies just as much – or perhaps more – to “neighbors” who without question reside legally within our national borders. 

Obviously, our “neighbor” could be someone who lives in the house or apartment next door, or across the street. It could be a person, couple or family we meet at church, whether we know them well or not. The “neighbor” Jesus is talking about could be the individual in the next office, or cubicle, or a person we meet on a sales call.

If we broaden the description, we might find our “neighbor” is the homeless person begging for cash downtown, or living in a makeshift tent under a bridge we drive over every day. Our neighbor could be a military veteran, homeless or not, who has returned from a field of battle bearing injuries and scars, some we can readily see – and some that we can’t. Most times, mental and emotional damages aren’t as evident or easy to identify. Are we as individuals, and as a nation, doing all we can to help these “neighbors,” not only to meet their immediate needs, but also so they can return to productive living?

One group of “neighbors” too often overlooked consists of native Americans, men, women and children who live on reservations, often in extreme poverty. Many of us have no idea of the plight they endure every day, or that the rates of suicide and alcoholism among American Indians far exceed the national average for all segments of society. How well are we loving these “neighbors”?

So while our elected officials continue to wrangle over questions surrounding immigrants who seek – legally or not – to cross our borders in hopes of becoming beneficiaries of the so-called “American dream,” we’d be remiss not to search our own hearts and ask how well we’re loving and tending to our “neighbors” who are already here.

Because, as 1 Timothy 5:8 tells us, “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 

And, as we seek to become more diligent in loving our neighbors as ourselves, we find ourselves drawing closer to loving God the way we should. Because as Jesus said,“whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).