Proverbs 11:14

Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

When Christians are presented with the plight of starving children, or of a single Mom with cancer, or of some other tragic circumstance, they often cry out to the Lord seeking resolution and comfort for those involved. We understand and agree that someone should meet those needs. Unfortunately however, we aren't willing many times to be a part of that solution. The same applies to witnessing to others about Jesus and what He has done for them. We feel like it should be done, but aren't necessarily willing to be that one who does it.

The proverb teaches us that the people are falling down because of a lack of counsel. Yet, in the multitude of counselors there is safety. We must be one of those counselors. It's not enough that missionaries share their faith, or pastors counsel their flocks, or elders minister to the hurting. We have all, every believer, been called to be part of the solution, to be a counselor, to be a witness and proclaimer of the sufficiency of Jesus Christ to minister to the needs of man. Many times we shrink at this responsibility because we think that to be a counselor we must have all the answers, be insightful and impressive, and have commanding knowledge of the Bible. Instead the Lord has called us to reach out to one another in simple love, not waiting for someone else, in some other position to do it.

Simply put, our responsibility toward one another is love. If we love one another truly we will desire to counsel, to help, to minister to one another, to point them toward Jesus. Jesus has all the answers and loves that person who is struggling.

Romans 13:8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

The greatest thing that we can do is to love someone. That love may manifested in many ways; through service, prayer, rebuke, instruction, etc. But if we love one another, we are fulfilling the heart of God, which is what the law is. Christians sometimes think that because they are not bound to the law to keep it for salvation, that it means we are free of all responsibility period. This is far from the truth and has led so many away from close fellowship with God and detracted from their usefulness to His kingdom.

It is true that we have been freed from being slaves of sin, however, we are now bondservants to Christ to fulfill His will and not our own. As His word says then, we owe a debt of love to one another. Jesus paid our debt of sin for us and gave us His love freely without being required to do so by any measure of divine responsibility. We are being asked to be the arms and feet and hands and mouth of Christ to those around us.

Matthew 28:19-20 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

The heart of God is that we would go forth and witness of Christ to others and help them to become true disciples, commited learners, of Christ. It is our responsibility... more specifically, it is your responsibility, it is my responsibility to give love to those that God brings across our path, trusting Him to guide and lead us and trusting Him to minister to His people through you.
We are called to serve Him for His purposes in His kingdom. Through the guidance and empowerment of the Spirit, through the Word of God, and through the learning and wisdom that God brings through our obedience, Jesus will edify the body of Christ and present them to Himself clean and without spot. May we stay atuned to His voice today, and may we obey with uncompromising trust.

To God be the glory and power forever and ever!