Love Becomes Flesh

by Rev. James Wong

Fellowship With My Cell Group is the last session in our Fellowship Life Campaign. Sharing is the key word in the cell group. As the church grows larger, it must also grow smaller at the same time otherwise the relationship within the church will be very superficial. This is the reason why the cell group is an important place where members could deepen their relationships in order to really care for one another. Here was what happened in the early church:

42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, … 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity*— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. ~Acts 2:42-47 (NLT)

The content of this passage poses one of the greatest difficulties to many modern church operation. The believers had fellowship in the Temple and also at homes. The real substance of fellowship includes liquidating properties and sharing the money with those in need. This is love in action; love becomes tangible in the sharing of resources to help those who are in need. While speaking in a family camp a few days ago I discovered ...

Edison (not his real name), a member of BCCM, died penniless and left behind a wife and four young children. The widow had to return to her country because of her foreign status and the children were left to themselves with nothing. The church swung into action immediately by providing the children with shelter in the church, paid for their education and all living expenses. Guardians were assigned to the children. After more than three years, the two elder brothers finished Form Five. One went to NS with the dream of continuing his education later and the other joined the church as a clerk. The younger sister is active in church and leads in worship. The mother returned after one year and was reunited with the children. The church is still taking care of this family today. I ask the pastor and the Elder why they are doing this? ‘Because of love’ was their simple answer. This is a church where they walk their talk and put flesh into love!

If you meet someone in need, let your love become flesh, help someone. However, let me caution here. Love is not blind and grace is not cheap. No one should take us for a ride just because we love. I am talking about meeting real needs, which is the practice of the true tradition of the Church of Christ.