Saint George's Anglican Church

 

“Above all things have fervent charity among yourselves; for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.”  1 St. Peter 4.8

 

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

 

Last week, the Epistle called us to think about the difference between glancing quickly at ourselves in the mirror, and actually stopping to look. St. James told us that a quick glance in the mirror is like a "forgetful hearer" - someone who hears what God's Word says but does not act on it. On the other hand, stopping to look -- to really look, as in stooping down and studying a map -- whoever looks into the Word with that kind of seriousness and tries to follow it, that person is a "doer of the work, (and) shall be blessed in his deed".

 

I mentioned last week about meeting a young lady who, as soon as she saw my clerical collar, began to make excuses for her lifestyle: immediately she apologized for the fact that she did not marry the father of her baby; and, she expressed the guilt she felt about not belonging to a Church. Unfortunately, she, like many, many others view Christianity as a religion that imposes rules. They think that Christians are simply 'good' people who have more credits than debits in the behaviour department. Unfortunately, that perspective misses the whole basis of our Faith. The foundation of Christianity is the Lord .Jesus Christ and His mercy, not a bunch of rules. That's not to say, however, that discipline and rules do not have a place. As we open our hearts to the Charity and Goodness of God, we are moved to love Jesus, and to follow Him, and to obey His Word. We are moved to look into it and to do what it says; and that leads us to take upon ourselves certain rules for living. Of course, we will fail at these sometimes; but, with the Lord's help, we turn back to Him and begin again, trusting in His willingness to forgive.

 

Today, the Epistle continues this theme. St. Peter says, “Above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover a multitude of sins.” The word 'charity' is not used casually here: it means sacrificial love, the kind of love that we see in our Saviour at the Cross. That's an important point: the cross is not something that God did; rather, it shows us Who God is. The Cross, with all of its suffering and shame, shows us the heart of God. Through the Precious Blood of Jesus, we see the Charity of God. So, when St. Peter says, “Above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover a multitude of sins", we should envision NOT just an act of kindness, but a way of living. We should see NOT a list of rules, but the Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is what it means to be a doer of the Word.

 

We all wonder sometimes about our work as the Church. What are we supposed to be doing? What is our mission in this area? The disciples must have asked these same questions after Jesus went up into Heaven, only with a lot of anxiety. They had walked and talked with Him for three years; they had witnessed His miracles; and they had been astounded by His teaching. His Suffering and Death had brought them to a level of despair they had not thought possible; and His Resurrection had filled them with a faith that overflowed. To have their Lord depart from them again indefinitely would have caused them a great deal of trouble and worry. "What can we possibly do alone?" they must have wondered. "What can we do without Jesus?" In answer to their fears, He promised them that they would not be alone. He would send them the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. He would be with them in a wonderful way, for He would live in them. And, He would point them to the Son -- to the Cross and to the perfect Charity of Christ. With His help, and only by His help, they would bear witness to Jesus and to the new life of His forgiveness, even if it meant dying for Him.

 

It has been said that our lives may be the only Bible some people ever read. Some folks will not take time to open the Bible or attend a Church Service. The only way they will become interested in finding out more about the Lord is through the charity one of us shows them. But charity is not magically dispensed; it involves friendship; and friendship does not happen overnight. In this, St. Peter reminds us of the importance of hospitality: "Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. "

 

So, what is the work of the Church? What is our mission in this area? Let's consult the answer given in the Catechism on page 553. A little more than half­way down the page we find this question:

c) to unite all men to God in one family.

The first part of that answer reminds us of the importance of meeting here on Sundays, and of maintaining this building as a witness to God's Presence in this community. The second and third parts -- proclaiming the Gospel and uniting people to God in one family - these remind us of the importance of friendship and hospitality and sacrificial love In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. So, In response, let us ask ourselves who we need to befriend; or what friendships in our lives need to be rekindled. I am not suggesting that we try to save the world by running madly off in all directions, cultivating friendships. Not at all. On the contrary, look around and ask yourself who Is nearby. Then look for an opportunity to share with them the hospitality of our Lord Jesus Christ; and, that godly hospitality begins with prayer. Begin to pray for the person, and commit yourself to do so each day.

 

In closing, remember that we cannot undertake any of this work on our own strength. The Holy Spirit of God will help us. Remember also that there is a great cloud of invisible witnesses surrounding us, praying for us and cheering us on. This multitude of the faithful departed is on our side. Finally, remember that sharing the hospitality of Christ must always be consistent with the Truth of His Gospel. The Charity of the Lord Jesus flows from the Truth that we are sinners In need of redeeming. All that we do must flow from that Truth and point back to that Truth. All that we are and all that we have should seek to glorify Jesus. Christianity is all about Christ Who calls us to Himself that we know the beauty and happiness of the kingdom of Heaven.

The end of all things is at hand; be ye therfore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover a multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. "