One Lesson a Year

1 John 2:7Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.

John the apostle wrote towards the end of the first century. We mention this apostolic reminder in connection with another very familiar passage from James, the brother of the Lord one that we tend to see only from a New Testament lens or a first century admonition.

James 1:27Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

However, even the casual Bible student should be somewhat familiar and aware that as John mentions this is, “no new commandment.” This definition passage, of pure religion is but an echo from the prophet Isaiah. “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow.“

There they are from eighth century BC, the two elements of pure religion: personal purity and individual compassion. Justice and Mercy manifested daily in the lives of God’s people, individually and by extension, collectively. The Psalmist writes: “Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.“

Which to my ear, is reflected in Paul’s statement to the church at Ephesus, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” Ephesians 2:10. And this in the immediate context of being saved by faith, not by works.

As 21^st century Christians, we are called to be a “light to the world” and to the same end as the chosen people under the covenant, to be a light to the nations, A real and physical manifestation of God’s goodness and glory, bringing to earth the will of the Father in heaven.

Referring again to Paul’s letter to the brethren in Ephesus, he continues thoughts on good work and works of ministry. He picks up the theme related to the purpose of our redemption which includes the element of restoration:

Ephesians 4:11-12And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ

Jesus left for the church certain offices, functions, roles and activities in order that the church (individually and collectively) might be equipped to be the workman and prepared to do the work for which He intended, and for which we are prepared. Paul, underscores this preparation, redemption and restoration when he wrote Titus saying:

Titus 2:14who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

The question we might ask is, what are the “works of ministry” Paul has in mind and for which preachers and elders are to equip the saints for?

This brings us to the point, the request, and the admonition of these thoughts.

Shouldn’t we, of necessity include in “works of ministry” the activity which is the enduring definition, the ancient commandment, and the anticipated manifestation of God’s people – in other words “PURE RELIGION” which is this, “visit (care for) the fatherless and the widow.”

Command, example, expectation and necessary inference leads to a resounding ABSOLUTELY.

Here is the question to and for any elder or preacher, representing a gift Christ left for the church (the saints you serve) how are you equipping the saints for the work and the ministry of caring for the fatherless?

In conclusion, here is the humble and simple request in connection to your duty to equip. Will you commit to giving one lesson a year (OLAY) to prepare the saints you serve on why and how to care for the fatherless?

If so contact us at David.carrozza@sacredselections.org and send us a link from your lesson. We are building a page on our website, sacredselections.org/olay with more about this program, and links to lesson on this topic from preachers around the country.