Bonhoeffer wrote in Life Together that we always have Christ between ourselves and others. Whatever we say and do, we say to and through the Lord Christ. So it is with doing good. Whatever good we do, we do to Jesus. Whatever good we withhold, we withhold from Jesus. We are to be Jesus to others and see Jesus in the face of others. 

The word translated as “pity” here is the Greek word for intestines—guts. Pity and compassion are not intellectual exercises. Our lives should be trained so we have a visceral response to the needs of others that we act on before we think ourselves out of doing the good we should. 

Our doing good is an essential part of keeping the two great commandments. We have to deal with the challenge of love of the neighbor and the love of the one who is not like us. What pride and prejudice might keep us from showing the love of Christ to others?

Paul writes Titus a letter to help him with his ministry on the island of Crete. The Cretans had a reputation of being a horrible people. The difference Christ will make in the lives of his disciples on Crete is that they would be people who do what is good. This is a simple call for us now—do what is good. 

Following Jesus demands that we adopt his way of doing things. His ways and values are not the values and ways of the fallen world. The way of self-sacrifice and service is the way of the Cross. 

Being a disciple of Jesus is a matter of a decision and a process. We decide to follow Jesus. The journey is one in which Jesus becomes clearer to us, and our way to walk with him becomes clearer. 

Student Minister Wes Rasbury finished up the Churches That Heal series by giving guidance by reminding us that this is not the end of journey- not in any way! That we have walked through this to begin the process and journey of healing, it is just the start!

This week we hear a story of loss through a tragic story within the Greenville Oaks community. While these moments are difficult, God is still God and sovereign in all situations. 

In week five of Churches That Heal, we focus on the importance of setting boundaries in our lives to protect ourselves and the health of our relationships.

We take a look at a major life event within the Greenville Oaks community who were affected by Covid-19. Through this we see the support of community and loved once holds major power in the name of Jesus. Through this hard time we can see evidence that love and being there for others can truly bring real healing.