MERCYinternational
God is love
School of Jesus Christ.
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Christians tackling homelessness.
Christ has called us to have mercy on the weak, as he had mercy on sinful mankind. The basic needs for physical health are keeping warm and access to unpolluted water. Housing and heating therefore are fundamental to human survival. Also, if mental health is threatened then physical health inevitably suffers. For Christians to provide competent residential support to those suffering from homelessness requires a commitment to bringing the good news of God's love in Word and in deed.
Preaching love and mercy is not enough, and neither is social care without the spirit of God. Men and women need the love of Christ, not just doctrine alone or physical care alone. There is a need for disciples of Christ to tackle homelessness and poverty in society.
True doctrine ought naturally to lead to compassionate social action. We are to see Christ in the weaker vessels of our society and serve him. Immediate needs are of course blankets, shelter, gloves and so on. The society inspired by William Booth (Salvation Army) continues to minister to physical needs in western nations, but apparently does not seek to provide the spiritual healing of the living God. The message of the gospel is directed to the whole person, spiritual, mental, and physical. God's healing is completely sufficient for all who look to his perfect world prepared for his children. When our hearts are given to him then we become vessels of the kingdom of heaven on this earth.
Charismatic churches seem to be more responsive to the leadings of the Holy Spirit with regards to witnessing to the homeless, which leaves much to be desired from so-called reformed congregations. As the two camps avoid each other Christ suffers in the streets. Brothers and sisters with personal disagreements need to lay them aside for the greater importance of serving Christ in our cities. With clearer personal repentance ourselves we would have a clearer message to give to our paganised society by working together as the body of Christ, bringing hope to the hurting.
We must work together as if we are the family who will share everlasting life together. Let us seek to bring God's kingdom to earth, by his spirit, for his glory. Let us pray that the people of God shall meet and seek to house all those in need, acquiring buildings and praising God for his spirit of love and mercy. Lord fill us with your spirit of compassion and truth and light.