Clean thought Aren’t Enough

I heard a story about a man who went to Russia with good intentions

of telling people about the love of Jesus Christ. During

his visit, many people were starving. When he found a line of

people waiting hopefully to get bread for the day, he approached

them with gospel tracts in hand and began to walk the line telling

them that Jesus loves them and handing each of them attract with the salvation message on it. To be sure, he was trying to help, but one woman looked into his eyes and said bitterly, “Your words are nice, but they don’t fill my empty stomach.” I have learned that some people are hurting too badly to hear the good news that God loves them; they must experience it and one of the best ways for that to happen is for us to meet their practical needs, in addition to telling them they are loved. We must beware of thinking that words are enough. 

Jesus certainly preached the good news, but He also went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed Acts 10:38. Talking is not expensive, nor does it require much effort, but real love is costly. It cost God His only Son, and allowing real love to flow through us will also cost us. Perhaps we will have to invest some time, money, effort, or possessions— but it will cost!