A Message from Pastor Victor Makonda
Universal Church of God
As members of the Universal Church of God, we are called to embody the teachings of Christ in every aspect of our lives. One of the most profound ways we can live out our faith is by joining hands to help others. This act of service is not merely a duty; it is a reflection of the love and compassion that Christ has shown us. The Bible provides us with numerous examples and teachings that emphasize the importance of helping others, and it is through this lens that we must view our mission as a church.
The Biblical Mandate to Serve
The Bible is replete with commands and encouragements to help those in need. One of the most well-known passages comes from the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus teaches about the final judgment. In Matthew 25:35-40, Jesus says:
“For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited me in; I needed clothes, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you looked after me; I was in prison, and you came to visit me.”
The righteous will answer Him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?”
The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
This passage makes it clear that our acts of service to others are, in fact, acts of service to Christ Himself. When we join hands to help those in need, we are fulfilling our calling as Christians and honoring our Savior.
The Power of Unity in Service
The concept of unity is central to the Christian faith. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, the Apostle Paul uses the analogy of the body to describe the Church. Just as the body is made up of many parts, each with a unique function, so too is the Church made up of many members, each with a unique role to play. Paul writes:
“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:12-13)
This passage reminds us that we are stronger together than we are apart. When we join hands to help others, we are not just individual Christians doing good deeds; we are the Body of Christ in action. Our combined efforts can have a greater impact than any one of us could achieve alone.