The Awaiting RewardSpeaker: Dr. D.G.S. Dhinakaran Gist: Your labour of love can never be in vain. A Bible which present to people, a Bible Tract, a hand-bill, a brief prayer filled with tears, a word of comfort all these will never be unrewarding. St.Paul describes the 'labour of love' in following verses: "For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died" (2 Corinthians 5:14). "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love"(Galatians 5:6). "By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me" (1 Corinthians 15:10).
What is the prominent characteristic of the love of Jesus? "For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ."(Philippians 1:8)
When I accepted our gracious Lord Jesus Christ in my innermost heart, I yearned very much to carry His love and power to the distressed people. So, to comprehend the nature of His love profoundly, I started to read and study the Bible intently. One day, the Holy Spirit enlightened me about one factor of His love; that is, His Compassion.
My dear friend, we can observe the mighty deeds done by Jesus' deep compassion in the following 'Words' in the Bible: "When Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick" (Matthew 14:14). "Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, "I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way." (Matthew 15:32) saying so, He fed four thousand people with seven loaves and a few fishes. "Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him" (Matthew 20:34). "Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, "If You are willing, You can make me clean." Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed." As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed" (Mark 1:40-42). "Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things" (Mark 6:34). Thus the Bible gives a continual reference to the compassion of Christ.
Yes, the secret of success...is the compassion of Jesus. This mystery transformed my heart. I longed for securing this, 'compassion' of our Lord. Today, the fundamental reason for all your labour, your efforts for the sake of other people is the outpouring of His love into you. It is His 'love that constrains you' (2 Corinthians 5:14). A desire is born in your heart to do something to the people, whom you see suffering.
Recently, a famous actor who came to meet me shared with me a strange experience. He and his family members were completely in the dark about Jesus Christ. It so happened that a horrible disease gripped his mother. Doctors who examined her felt that they could not do anything. Her condition was pathetic. One day a family that had accepted Jesus Christ, coming to see her, took pity on her, gave her a Bible and asked her to read it. That elderly mother, who received the Bible, put it under her pillow that night and slept off. Lord Jesus considered the labour of love of the family who had acknowledged Him in their hearts. He touched and healed the ailing lady in her sleep itself. When she woke up in the morning, she was surprised. The disease had completely disappeared. At once the actor's people rushed to the family who had presented the Bible and they explained to the curious people, the unbounded love of Christ and His crucifixion sacrifice. That very day the mother's life was transformed completely. She started to tell every one of her visitors, of the love of God. She became a powerful Prayer Warrior. Riches sought her and she built a big mansion and called it 'Jesus Mansion'.
My dear friend, just consider how the labour of love of one family made an impact on a number of people, and is going to touch a vast circle to touch a vast circle of people. Therefore, your labour of love can never be in vain. A Bible which present to people, a Bible Tract, a hand-bill, a brief prayer filled with tears, a word of comfort all these will never be unrewarding. Perhaps you might not have realised so far, the benefit of your labour of love. But this year, you are going to reap the reward of your past labour of love. Your labour of love extended towards not only others, but also those hard-hearted members in your family, will not go waste. God will certainly reward you, change their hearts and gladden you.
Prayer:
Loving Heavenly Father,
Please fill me also with Your divine love and compassion. Help me to pray for others with real burden and be a channel of comfort to all those who are in need of comfort and counseling. Enable me to reap the reward that is in store for my labour of love. Be my Strong fort and help me to never give up my labour of love. I ask all this in the matchless name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen. |