A September to Remember… The Poor, the Prisoners, and Those Who Rule Over You

    During this month, we have remembered our Creator and thought of all He has done for us – all the reasons we can joyfully lift our hearts in praise and humbly bow our heads in thanksgiving. We have remembered from where we have come, that we were once Gentiles, “strangers from the covenants of promise and without God in the world,” but now in Christ Jesus we have been brought near by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:11-13). Last week, we remembered that our former conduct – outside of Christ and away from God – is not to be looked back on with regret (for leaving it) or longing; we are to learn from it and come to see it as having been in opposition to God. We will come to abhor our former conduct as we draw nearer to God and cling tighter to what is good (James 4:8, Romans 12:9, read and consider 2 Corinthians 7:9-11; note that they did not regret their repentance/turning away from sin).

    Taking time to meditate on God, who He is and who we are before Him, will remind us of just how richly we are blessed (Colossians 2:2-3, Psalm 68:19, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, 9:8-11) and it will prepare our perspective in regards to sharing our wealth* with those in need of care and support.

*wealth is what we have been blessed with so that we can share: time, energy, talents/abilities/skills, words of encouragement, comfort, mercy/compassion, supplies (food, clothing, shelter), and/or money (see Romans 12:3-8)

Remember the Poor

    In Galatians 2:7-10, when Peter, James, and John gave “the right hand of fellowship” to Barnabas and Paul (accepting them as preachers of the gospel and supporting their ongoing efforts), they encouraged these men to “remember the poor” while they taught the Gentiles – something Paul states as being “the very thing which [he] also was eager to do.”

    Jesus told His disciples that “you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good…” (Mark 14:7). We are to look with care and compassion on those who are in need of help (especially those of the household of faith, Galatians 6:9-10), and we are to do what we can to alleviate their troubles (think on James 2:14-20 and Matthew 7:9-12 – what would you need if you were in their situation? Provide that.) Take time to read and consider Matthew 25:31-46, 1 Timothy 5:4; 16, and James 1:21-27

Remember the Prisoners

    God, through the writer of Hebrews, tells us to remember our brethren who are mistreated in prison – not just think of them occasionally, but remember them as though chained with them – because we are all in the same body (Hebrews 13:3, also consider Romans 12:15, 1 Corinthians 12:25-26).

    Maybe we don’t personally know of any brethren who are in prison for their faith, but do we know of those mistreated for their faith/uprightness at work, at school, or at home? We need to be praying for them, feel for them, and encourage them in every way. We can help them “to set [their] mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). We need to empathize enough that we consider what we would need in those situations, what would benefit us, and do what we can to provide that, so that no part of the body is neglected or forgotten. 

Remember Those Who Rule Over You  

    Again in Hebrews 13, this time in verse 7, God, through the Hebrews writer, tells us to “remember those who rule over [us], who have spoken the word of God to [us].” We are to consider the outcome of their conduct and follow their faith. These teachers/leaders – maybe the elders of the church – should be proving through their words and conduct that God’s will is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2). They should be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity – we all need to feel the weight of this responsibility – we all need to take heed to ourselves and to the doctrine (1 Timothy 4:12-16).

“Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1 NKJV)

    When we find those within our congregation who serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear, who have quietly made sacrifices in order to wholly align with God and to be a benefit to their brethren, whose continuing progress is evident, and whose hope is firmly anchored in the unshakeable kingdom (Hebrews 12:28) – follow their example in following God.

    This is not about elevating the man/woman – all men/women make mistakes and stumble. Instead, this is seeing them obeying the commands and instructions found in the New Testament to the best of their abilities and trying to do likewise. It means that you go to them for help and you dig deeper into God’s word together, and so you can both continue to grow and develop in knowledge of our Lord (1 Peter 3:14-18, 1 Timothy 4:16, 2 Timothy 3:16-17).  We are to help each other draw closer to God (James 4:8) as we learn to walk just as Jesus walked (1 John 2:3-6, Ephesians 5:1-2).

    We should be a reason for joy in those who teach us, rule over us, and lead us, not a reason for grief and/or frustration (read and think on Hebrews 13:17). If we put our best effort into serving God, we will encourage our leaders and brethren, and we, too, may become an example to the believers as our progress becomes evident! Let us remember those who watch out for our souls!

    Please remember all that we have studied this September – take it with you into the rest of the year! Remember your Creator, remember from where you came, remember Lot’s wife and don’t look back to your ‘old life’ with longing, keep moving forward in your faith and obedience! Remember the poor – share with them from your abundance. Remember the prisoners – share comfort and strength, and remember those who rule over you and who watch out for your soul – show them that their effort was not in vain!

God is worthy of our every effort – always remember that!

You can do it! So can I!!