• Editor’s note: “Spiritual leaders answer” is a weekly column inviting Kaua‘i’s religious and spiritual leaders to share their doctrine’s perspective on a suggested subject. Every Friday, a topic is printed, inviting a response. Due to space limitations, submissions are
• Editor’s note: “Spiritual leaders answer” is a weekly column inviting Kaua‘i’s religious and spiritual leaders to share their doctrine’s perspective on a suggested subject. Every Friday, a topic is printed, inviting a response. Due to space limitations, submissions are edited. Thoughts or suggestions for future topics are always welcome. Next week the suggested topic is simplicity. The topic at the end of the column is for the following week.
Kahu James Fung
Lihu‘e Christian Church
A sign at the back of the church’s sanctuary for worshipers to see as they depart reads: “The Worship begins at 9:30, the service begins now. Put your faith into action and serve the Lord with gladness.”
One well-known poem in the Bible, a Thanksgiving Psalm (Psalm 100) exalts both the joy of praising God and honoring God by being of service to God’s people. The Psalm begins by saying, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.”
Putting our faith into action by standing shoulder to shoulder with those who are oppressed, taking care of the weak and the needy; feeding the hungry, speaking out for the marginalized whose voices are not heard, expressing our love for God with tangible acts of helpfulness — these are an essential part of Christian faith.
What good is it my brothers and sisters if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself if it has no works, is dead. (James 2: 14-17)
A faith that is alive and relevant is one that reflects the loving activity of a God who cares deeply about the people and the creation that He brought into being. All of God’s people are called to shine brightly with the light and love of God, brightening up the lives of those whose darkness can be dispelled a little by deeds of loving kindness.
Baha’i Faith
Service is highly regarded in the Baha’i Faith. We have a glimpse of its importance from the following quote summarizing three cardinal principles of service as they apply to education and training:
First is whole-hearted service to the cause of education, the unfolding of the mysteries of nature, the extension of the boundaries of pure science, the elimination of the causes of ignorance and social evils…
Second is service to the cause of morality, raising the moral tone of students, inspiring them with the ideals of ethical refinement, teaching them altruism, inculcating in their lives the beauty of holiness… and animating them with the excellence and perfection of the religion of God.
Third is service to the oneness of the world of humanity; so that each student may consciously realize that he is a brother to all mankind, irrespective of religion or race. The thoughts of universal peace must be instilled into the minds of all the scholars in order that they may become the armies of peace, the real servants of the body politic — the world. God is the Father of all. Mankind are His children. This globe is one home. Nations are the members of one family. The mothers in their homes, the teachers in the schools, the professors in the college, the presidents in the universities, must teach these ideals to the young from the cradle up to the age of manhood.
Pastor Wayne Patton
Anahola Baptist Church
Christian service means to proclaim a message and to live a life that reflects the weeping heart of God. We are living in times that make us cry. We live among people who are hurting. We need to care about them. We need to do something for them.
Christian service means to invest heavily in what God is doing in this world. It is knowing that while we sleep at night, someone somewhere in the world is getting up to continue Christian service, supported by our dollars and sustained by our prayers. Involvement in Christian service is to be part of something bigger than ourselves and wider than the walls of our churches.
When Chet Bitterman realized that God was calling him to be a missionary in Latin America, he penned something strangely prophetic in his journal: “Maybe this is just some kind of self-inflicted martyr complex, but I find this recurring thought that perhaps God will call me to be martyred for Him in His service in Columbia. I am willing.”
And so it was. Chet was martyred in 1981. God needs for us to willingly give our resources and lives in Christian service to those who are needy.
Topic for two
weeks from today
•Will you speak to us on guests?
•Spiritual leaders are invited to e-mail responses of three to five paragraphs to pwoolway@kauaipubco.com.
•Deadline each week is 5 p.m.
Tuesday.