The following was prepared for a "Grace Gathering" of Grace Church of Philly:
At later times, Lord willing, we will get into discussions about the who, what, where, and the how of serving the poor. But before those conversations take place, I think it necessary to briefly cover the why of mercy ministries.
Examining the why of anything is to investigate the foundations of doing what we do. Without a proper and biblical why, we are doomed to serve others out of improper motives, which can hurt both the poor and ourselves in the process.
Why do we serve the poor? Because of Jesus. And because of His gospel.
Mercy ministries find their root and are ultimately grounded in the person, life, and work of Jesus Christ our Savior.
If the ultimate goal of our life is to serve and minister in a way that is Christ-centered for the glory of God the Father, then we will necessarily be powered and equipped for such service by the Holy Spirit Himself, and not our own desires, religious or otherwise.
If the eyes of our heart are continually fixed on the great sacrifice of Christ on the cross, we will see the great and precious value that each person has in His sight.
Christ-centeredness produces other-centeredness. It cannot do otherwise.
Mercy ministries also find their heritage in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
If we are continually and daily preaching the gospel of God’s grace to ourselves, we are empowered to live out this gospel of grace by serving the poor and disenfranchised.
It is the gospel that is the power of God both unto salvation and that spurs good works.
Every young Christian knows Ephesians 2:8-9, which says: Eph. 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
I’m convinced that v. 10 is frequently overlooked in its significance for Christian living: 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
By looking at these verses as a unit (and not in atomistic isolation) we see that the gospel of God’s grace saves us not only from sin and death, but saves us from the prison of selfishness that was our former life.
While we formerly lived as children of wrath, imprisoned “in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of” our bodies and minds (v. 3), by the power of the gospel we are “created in Christ Jesus for good works,” freed to serve others with the love that God has poured into our hearts by His Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5).
Gospel-centeredness produces other-centeredness. It cannot do otherwise.
Why do we serve the poor? Because we are radically committed to Jesus Christ and His saving gospel.
It is through ministry to the poor that we worship God the Father, bringing Him glory by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 12:1-2).
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