Christian Living

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The Wednesday night bible study is about to start. One person is coughing and spluttering, obviously sick; at that point we should forget the agenda. It’s the right time to stop everything, and pray collectively for him or her. After all, it’s not our religious routine that is important, but the well-being of people. We need to be people-conscious.

When the pastor is poised to commence his sermon, and he notices someone new, then it’s time to be people-conscious: time for him to deviate from the planned message, and give a clear, concise gospel presentation just for that one person who may be unsaved. The Bible says there is rejoicing in heaven when one sinner repents (Luke 15:7).

Years ago at a large church in Sydney, the pastor was about to preach, but decided on a last minute change. He asked the congregation for donations for a widow because she had school-age children, and was on hard times. He requested people to come forward and put money in a large box for her. He was conscious of the Holy Spirit’s prompting.

We can be so rapt in our routine, we forget the basic principle of Christianity, that people are important. They always were to Jesus. He was more concerned about healing the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath, than about the religious tradition of those present. (Matthew 12:10-13). That’s how we need to be also.

On a bitter winter night we can be so intent on hurrying to the church meeting we do nothing about that man huddled in a shop doorway. Is he ill? Is he hungry? We don’t know unless we stop and ask. That is being people-conscious. Jesus says “Love your neighbour as yourself.” (Mark 12:31).

Christianity is not a career, a vocation; it is a way of life. It isn’t about diplomas, certificates and theological degrees, it’s about caring – and that should be as daily to us as getting up in the morning.

Back to that new person at the church; do we rush off to the coffee and cookies, or do we stop and say hello to him or her? The latter is the stuff that church growth is made of. It has more effect than the most well-prepared and beautifully-presented sermon. People notice when others care about them.

So let us be constantly aware of the importance of people, especially those who don’t know Jesus as Saviour. Let us pray for grace, openness and flexibility in our thinking – so that we put people first.

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