As Ye have Therefore Opportunity

We are called upon by God to dispense acts of charity and kindness to others as and when opportunity permits. "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith" (Gal.6:10) . The ways in which we can do good are very numerous, but perhaps the most valuable of them all is the instruction we can give to those who have an ear to hear respecting God’s will, purpose and plan. We should be careful not to let a chance of talking about the Truth go by us, for as we ourselves grow in the Spirit of God and become more and more in harmony with His plan, we realise that no other work is so grand as to make known to others God’s character, and the wideness of His mercy and love. Our constant desire should be to "shew forth the praises of Him who hath called us out of darkness into His marvellous light" (1 Peter 2:9).

Paul especially states that we are to do this as we have opportunity. We are to be "instant in season, out of season" (2 Tim.4:2). We are to consider the interests and convenience of others before our own, and be instant in the Lord’s service whether seasonable or unseasonable to ourselves. "...A word spoken in due season, how good is it!." "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. " (Prov.15:23; Prov.25:11) Our love for the Lord and our eagerness to serve Him to the best of our ability, is to be our chief concern in life, before which everything else must give way.

Important as this work is, we derive perhaps greater pleasure and satisfaction whilst fulfilling the latter part of the verse quoted— "especially unto them who are of the household of faith". It is not our privilege to come into personal contact with our Lord on this side of the veil, but it is a great pleasure and privilege for us to help our brethren in Him, and to build them up with our love, kindness, sympathy, hope and faith. The more we deny ourselves in the service of our brethren, the more acceptable and precious will our sacrifice be in the sight of our Lord, who said as we do, or do not, unto His brethren, so we do, or do not, unto Him (Matt.25:40), for "If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us" (1 John 4:12).

"Blest are the sons of peace,
Whose hearts and hopes are one,
Whose kind designs to serve and please
Through all their actions run."

Young Bible Students Messenger