Living Christ’s Love Through Serving Others

In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus paints a powerful picture of what it means to serve Him by caring for the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and the imprisoned. This passage reminds us that true discipleship is not just about what we believe, but also about how we live our faith in action. Hence, the church—as the body of Christ—is called to be Jesus’ hands and feet, bringing His love, compassion and justice into the world.

A careful look at Christ’s words in Matthew 25 suggests that these words are both an invitation and a challenge. Yet, because it’s at the heart of the Christian mission, this call isn’t optional for believers. Christ makes it clear that when we serve those in need, we are serving Him. James 2:17 reminds us, “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” True faith then moves beyond words and is demonstrated in tangible acts of love.

The church, illustrated through Christ’s hands and feet, is uniquely positioned to be a beacon of hope in a broken world and can embody Christ’s love through a myriad of ways, including feeding the hungry and providing for their basic needs, caring for the sick and hurting, welcoming the stranger, ministering to the incarcerated, investing in the next generation and advocating for social justice. As Micah 6:8 reminds us, “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” This call to action aligns with our mission to reflect God’s love in practical ways, serving others and seeking justice in the world.

When we serve others, we reflect the heart of Jesus. In doing so, we become His hands and feet, bringing the Gospel to life through love and service. This kind of ministry not only transforms the lives of those we serve, but it also strengthens our faith, deepens our community and brings glory to God. As a result, by helping others, we’re actually helping ourselves.

Friends, the church isn’t just a building, but the body of Christ. Being the hands and feet of Jesus means that Christ’s followers—past, present and future—are obedient in their commission to preach the gospel and co-labor with Christ to love, serve and heal the broken, hurting and hopeless. As we embrace our calling to care for Christ’s brothers and sisters, we ultimately fulfill the mission Jesus has given us. May we never grow weary in doing good, knowing that every act of kindness and love, no matter how small, is an offering to Christ Himself.

‍

By Carlton P. Byrd, D. Min

President

‍