Message from District Superintendent
"Others”"
During seminary days, Pastor Jack Hyles, pastor of one of the largest churches in America came and spoke to budding theologs. Jack Hyles had a heart for the "down and out" in the southern slums of Chicagoland. Therefore, that church sent out as many as 120 buses every Sunday just to reach the lost. That ministry was an extension of the remarkable motto he had taken for his life:
in such a self-forgetful way
that even when I kneel to pray,
my prayer shall be for others.
‘Others’, Lord, yes ‘others’
let this my motto be.
Let me live for others
that I may live like Thee."
The lives of these two men reflect a mature understanding of the Christian faith – a faith that turns us away from selfishness and outward toward others. It’s a theme throughout scripture. For instance, have you ever heard “Do unto others as you . . . “? What do we call that?
I have found there are dozens of scriptures admonishing us to grow in our consideration and love for others. Hear some of them:
"Serve one another in love." (Gal. 5:13)
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other." (Eph. 4:32)
"Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs." (Eph. 5:19)
"Encourage one another and build each other up." (1 Thess. 5:11)
"Try to be kind to each other and to everyone else." (1 Thess. 5:15)
"Spur one another on toward love and good deeds." (Heb. 10:24)
"Offer hospitality to one another." (1 Pet. 4:9)
"Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another." (1 Pet. 5:5)
Here are some observations: 1) God put all this in scripture. Just the volume of it indicates something from the heart of God. 2) It must be that God felt He needed to highlight relationships with one another. I.e., we don’t just naturally fall into “other mindedness” – there are times when some truths need to be reiterated! 3) Maybe, just maybe God is trying to show the world there’s a better way to live than simply to take care of “numero uno”! Maybe God wants the world to see in the church family a glimpse of heaven.
Thinking of “others” IS a sign of spiritual maturity. Just about everyone loves babies, but nobody wants a baby to stay a baby forever. Babies are demanding. Babies don’t care about anything but themselves. Babies have no manners or consideration for others. Babies have no abilities or skills. But, because they’re babies, we put up with all that because we see in them what years of maturity will bring. (He’s going to be a great preacher. She’s going to be a great mother … etc.)
Mature adults learn to think of other. But, truth is, some people add years without adding maturity. Some stay self-centered – even Christians. It’s a sad thing to observe Christian people mature in years, but turned in on themselves. And, it’s sad when senior Christians have not grown into people of prayer and ministry to others.
"Maturity begins to grow when you can sense your concern for others outweighing your concern for yourself." (John McNaughton)
"Maturity is moving from soft skin – tough heart to tough skin – soft heart." (Charles Swindoll)
"The Christian man has no rights – he has only duties." (Wm. Barclay)
Let it be that all across the Southwest Indiana District Church of the Nazarene there are people so growing in spiritual maturity that we care more about others than we do about ourselves!