ON VISITING THE SICK
I was sick and you visited me (Matthew 25:36)
Works of mercy are means of
grace. To refuse to be merciful is, therefore, a rejection of grace. How
serious, then, the almost universal neglect for visiting the sick?
Here is a method to this
means of grace:
1)
Pray before you
go (remain prayerful throughout)
2)
Inquire as to
their physical condition
3)
Provide whatever
assistance you are able
4)
Inquire as to
their spiritual condition
5)
As Spirit leads,
press for repentance
6)
Leave them some
simple spiritual resource
7)
Conclude every
meeting with prayer
8)
Visit them again
(discuss the resource)
9)
Upon their
improvement, stay involved/helpful
All who are on the path to
perfection shall regularly visit the bedsides of the sick (whether their
sickness be in mind or body, whether they are believers or not).
The rich must visit the sick
(personally, not by proxy). Voluntary ignorance of their condition is no
excuse. The poor must visit them also. Even if they have no material goods to
share, they may share Jesus! They may pray! The young can share their energy; the
old, their wisdom. Both men and women have much to give in this ministry.
Since showing mercy is a
means of grace, the rewards always outweigh the cost. It’s a matter of life or
death.
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