AGAINST USELESS FEELINGS OF RELIGIOSITY

„Dear friend, when you extend hospitality to Christian brothers and sisters, even when they are strangers, you make the faith visible”

(3John 5).

It is hard for us to imagine the difficulties travelers faced in the ancient world. Obeying the commands of Christ, the disciples and those following them had to face life-threatening circumstances while spreading the message of the Gospel throughout the Roman Empire. The hospitality of Gaius became known among the brethren in Asia Minor. The traveling missionaries staying at his home enjoyed his “faith made visible”.

The force of this expression (in other translations, “acting faithfully”) opens a new world of possibilities before us, desiring to make our trust in the Lord visible and so understandable to our contemporaries. The truthfulness of our faith is not proven by the force of our arguments. “Making the faith visible” will introduce the relationship we have with the Savior to others in terms they can relate to.

A simple act of hospitality, lending a helping hand, just “being there” for somebody in the name of Christ, these are missionary acts, practical ways to acquaint others with the life of faith. I use the qualifier “practical”, while emphasizing its redundancy in the context of carrying out the Great Commandment. If taking the Message of Christ to new places required traveling, the use of different modes of transportation, and even hospitable acts on the part of the Church in the First Century, can we allow ourselves to be less practical in the 21th?

The faith of the believer is not a system of beliefs. It is a way of living for Christ, spiced up with simple practical acts of service.

Although our individual circumstances vary, we are all called to take part in the work that Gaius was involved in. Is our faith visible? In what practical ways do you give your testimony to the people living and working around you?

A pastor friend told me the story of an unannounced visit by another minister right at the moment of his deepest need. He was contemplating of leaving the ministry. Discouraged as he was, he gladly opened the door before the visitor. The elderly minister did not ask him about the circumstances, and did not offer his wisdom. He stopped by to pray with my friend. Since that time, the Lord opened several new avenues of ministry before him. Whenever I have a chance to hear him proclaiming the Good News, and he is a great preacher, I thank the Lord for that old minister’s “visible faith”.

Lord Jesus, I want to be useful in the work you are doing in the world. Teach me to live out my faith, and help me to leave behind useless acts and feelings of religiosity. Amen.