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Introduction
Many of our thoughts, decisions, and actions are based on when we’ve been born (history), where we’ve been born (geography), to whom we’ve been born (parents), and in what kind of church we’ve been brought up (denomination), in case we have a church background. Needless to say, there’s quite a difference between being raised in a legalistic church, a free grace church, or no church at all.
As such, a lot of our decisions and actions are ultimately not based on what God’s word says but on our past and present circumstances and experiences. In other words: they’re essentially based on what we believe to be true and have been shaped to do or not do.
For example, a persecuted Christian, living in one of the fifty-two countries where God’s word is banned, would be far more eager to help distribute Bibles to his other persecuted brothers and sisters than a Christian who lives in the West, having multiple copies of God’s word and no experience of what it is to not have your own Bible.
Since both Christians have two totally different actions—one is overall ardent and the other is overall apathetic in helping distribute God’s word to those who don’t have a Bible—we have to ask the question: which of these two actions is based on God’s word. These opposites cannot both be biblical.
A Simple Test of Your Faith and Love is a sequel to God and Your Social Media. Both books are about one simple question: if you could easily and freely help your brothers and sisters in Christ, would you do so? To be more specific: your help is about sharing a Bible fundraiser for your persecuted brothers and sisters on your social media, which is without any cost or effort on your part. Obviously, you only have two options: to share or not to share.
In my desire to distribute Bibles to our persecuted brothers and sisters, I’ve heard many excuses and have experienced much indifference. This book is the result.
Here’s the bottom line: we have unprecedented opportunities through our social media to share that which is good and that which will “do good” (Gal. 6:10). Such “do good” sharing is without any cost or effort on one’s part.
When we honestly consider these twenty-five Bible verses, I don’t see how any Christian, church, ministry, Christian organization, or Christian media outlet can refuse to help their persecuted brothers and sisters through their social media, especially since it’s without any cost or effort on their part.
Zero cost and zero effort to help distribute God’s word to Jesus’ persecuted brothers and sisters. To not do so even sounds like a moral crime.
Before we’ll look at the twenty-five Bible verses, we’ll consider to whom these verses apply, whether or not we can claim any exemption from these verses, and the vital importance to value one person over all our possible objections.
As with God and Your Social Media, the governing verse is found in Paul’s letter to the Galatian believers: “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10).
Obviously, when Paul wrote these “opportunity words,” he wasn’t aware of our current social media, being able to easily and freely reach other Christians with just one click. As such, our opportunities to share that which is good and that which will “do good” has skyrocketed, to say the least.
The main question, though: will you use these opportunities for the good of others, or will you refuse to do so? That is what this book is all about.
The Five-Fold Distinction
In my pursuit to distribute Bibles to our persecuted brothers and sisters, I normally use a five-fold distinction: Christians, churches, ministries, Christian organizations, and Christian media outlets, covering all the bases, so to speak. Do these twenty-five Bible verses apply to each of these five “distinctions”? Personally, I cannot see any distinction, no pun intended. Let’s consider each one.
Obviously, every Christian is to take God’s word to heart. While most of the commands are stated to groups of people, whether the Jews in the Old Testament or the church in the New Testament, the message applies to the individuals of these groups. As such, God’s word is intensely personal.
When it comes to churches, we have the other side of the coin. While the commands are addressed to large groups, whether the Jews in the Old Testament or the church in the New Testament, these groups are made up of individuals and no individual can exempt himself from these group-stated commands.
In other words, God’s word is essentially written to and for God’s people. In a way, the Bible “limits” itself to God’s people, for there’s no mention of parachurch ministries, Christian organizations, and Christian media outlets.
As such, we have to consider these three distinct entities in light of the overall message of God’s word. As long as we claim the name of Christ for our existence as a distinct entity, we fall under what God has addressed to His people. Therefore, these three distinct entities cannot claim any “exemption clause” from God’s word.
For example, a Christian in a secular company is still under the moral obligation to all of Scripture, no matter the product or service of that company. How much more when it comes to parachurch ministries, Christian organizations, and Christian media outlets, those that exist as Christian entities.
That brings up an important point: when it comes to parachurch ministries, Christian organizations, and Christian media outlets, there’s no mention of them in the New Testament. All ministry is stated in relation to the church and is under the government of the church, so to speak.
While I have nothing against parachurch ministries, Christian organizations, and Chrisitan media outlets at all, we do have to ask the question, can they pick and choose when it comes to the clear commands of Scripture?
For example, Paul wrote to the churches in Galatia: “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10). Needless to say, Paul didn’t limit their opportunities to only their church. It was (and is) in relation to “everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
Therefore, if a parachurch ministry has a free, simple, and easy opportunity to help distribute Bibles to their persecuted brothers and sisters, even though the sole focus of that ministry is in relation to those with a disability, can they then biblically argue that they don’t need to make use of such an opportunity because that’s not their focus?
While there’s nothing wrong with having a specific ministry focus, it is biblically wrong to limit oneself to that focus when one can easily and freely do more for the good of others, “and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
In other words, we should never elevate our preferences, policies, procedures, and practices over God’s word—over reaching and helping more people when we have an opportunity to do so. Otherwise, we may even be in danger of “making void the word of God” by our policies and procedures (Mark 7:9-13).
Obviously, the same is true for Christian organizations and Christian media outlets. As Christians, we are morally obligated to the whole counsel of God’s word and not our policies and procedures. When we can reach and help more people, we should do so, no matter what.
As an illustration, sports organizations like the NBA use their influence and resources to reach and help more people, even though that has nothing to do with the game of basketball. How much more should Christian entities use their influence and resources to reach and help more people, even though that may have nothing to do with their main focus, right? Ministry is about reaching and helping more people.
To make this more practical: Franklin Graham, Nick Vujicic, and Don Moen have about ten million Facebook followers each. Without question, they can easily and freely help their persecuted brothers and sisters through their social media. Should they do so, or should they only focus on their ministry?
With much social media influence comes much responsibility and accountability. It’s one thing to have the opportunity to help distribute one Bible through the use of one’s social media and not do so; it’s quite another thing to have the opportunity to help distribute 33,333 Bibles through the use of one’s social media and not do so (the 33,333 Bibles is based on a one percent participation of their social media followers). And, should there be an outcry if they don’t want to help distribute Bibles to their persecuted brothers and sisters, which is without any cost or effort on their part?
Often, there’s a moral outcry when there has been a moral indiscretion, something that a pastor or Christian leader did. What about a moral outcry when a pastor or Christian leader didn’t do something?
Indeed, which much opportunity comes much responsibility and accountability. On the other hand, much opportunity can also produce a much larger harvest. Imagine being able to bless 33,333 persecuted Christians with their first Bible, just by using your God-given influence.
As with Jesus’ parable about the talents, will you make use of your God-given opportunities to help your brothers and sisters through your social media, or will you “bury” these opportunities in the ground (Matt. 25:14-30)? That is what A Simple Test of Your Faith and Love is all about.
Come and Help
In Luke 5:4-7, we read:
And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.’ And Simon answered, ‘Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.’ And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.”
Jesus had provided a miraculous catch, one that required the help of others. We read: “They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them.” What if the other boat had refused to do so? About half of the fish would’ve been lost.
What about our partnership in the gospel, having one Master and one mission, which is to proclaim the gospel and to “do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10)? Even though there’s no miraculous catch right now, requiring your immediate help, there is a definite opportunity to easily and freely reach and help more people.
For example, affiliate marketing is a legitimate opportunity for nonprofits. As Charity Navigator points out: affiliate programs give nonprofits “additional, unrestricted revenue.” The former AmazonSmile and the current Amazon Associates are probably the best examples.
During its ten-year existence (2013 – 2023), AmazonSmile generated over four hundred million dollars to U.S. nonprofits. That was 100% free money to “do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” What if none of the nonprofits would’ve made use of that opportunity? Millions would not have been reached and helped. The same is true with this Bible fundraiser for our persecuted brothers and sisters, which is also part of an affiliate program.
That brings us back to the main question of this book: if you could easily and freely help your brothers and sisters in Christ, would you do so? Will you “come and help”? It doesn’t require any cost or effort on your part. Zero cost and zero effort to help distribute God’s word to Jesus’ persecuted brothers and sisters.
25 Irrefutable Bible Verses
A Simple Test of Your Faith and Love is as a result of all the excuses I’ve heard and all the indifference I’ve experienced, desiring to distribute Bibles to our persecuted brothers and sisters.
Here are twenty-five Bible verses that are irrefutable when you have an opportunity to easily and freely help your brothers and sisters in Christ. While I’ve limited myself to these twenty-five verses, there are obviously far more verses that state the same. Actually, the entire Bible is about loving God and loving your neighbor (Matt. 22:36-40).
As such, do you believe the divine truth of these twenty-five verses? If so, what kind of proof can you give that you actually believe these divine commands? In the words of James: “Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18). Our faith in God is evidenced by our works.
Since this is about a free, simple, and easy opportunity to help distribute Bibles to your persecuted brothers and sisters, what can be easier than to prove your faith and love by simply sharing a Bible fundraiser on your social media, which doesn’t require any cost or effort on your part.
In other words: if you won’t be willing to share a Bible fundraiser on your social media, what does that indicate about your faith and love, for faith works through love (Gal. 5:6). Each of these verses are about your faith in God and your love to Jesus’ persecuted brothers and sisters.
By the way, if you’re concerned as a nonprofit to share a third-party Bible fundraiser on your social media, you can always become an affiliate, which is a legitimate opportunity for any nonprofit. In other words: if you truly want to help your persecuted brothers and sisters, you can certainly find a way to do so.
No, I’m not trying to manipulate you into doing something. I’m simply asking you to seriously consider these twenty-five Bible verses. In doing so, can you object to helping your brothers and sisters in Christ, especially when there’s no cost or effort on your part?
The good Samaritan became aware of someone in need and used his time, resources, and money to help him, one whom he had never met. Jesus concluded His parable with: “You go, and do likewise.” That’s what this book is all about. In your case, though, it doesn’t require any cost or effort at all. Just a few moments of your time and the use of your resource called social media.
The first ten Bible verses have been taken from God and Your Social Media. When I had finished that book, I wanted to do a book about “25 Irrefutable Bible Verses about Helping Other Christians When You Have a Free, Simple, and Easy Opportunity to Do So.” A Simple Test of Your Faith and Love is the result.
Whether you’re a Christian, church, ministry, Christian organization, or Christian media outlet, I cannot see how you can bring any objection to these Bible verses. Unless, of course, it’s more so about your social media platform and your ministry than reaching and helping more people when you have a free, simple, and easy opportunity to do so.
Obviously, there’s a reason Paul wrote: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Phil. 2:3), and, “Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will” (Phil. 1:15).
Unfortunately, ministry can be done from selfish ambition, conceit, envy, and rivalry. As such, we need a regular spiritual checkup. These twenty-five Bible verses will help you do so. It’s a simple test of your faith and love.
Luke 10:37
And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”
Jesus told the parable of the good Samaritan in relation to the second greatest commandment, which is to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27).
A priest, Levite, and Samaritan became aware of a man in need. The priest and Levite ignored the man and “passed by on the other side.” Ironically, Jesus used religious leaders as the ones who “passed by on the other side,” while He used a despised Samaritan as the one who expressed compassion and care.
It’s common knowledge that the persecuted church is in need of Bibles. Whether you’re a Christian, church, ministry, Christian organization, or Christian media outlet, if you could easily and freely help meet that need, would you do so? Or will you pass by on the other side?
I don’t think Jesus would’ve accepted a list of good works as an excuse to not help the man, nor arguments as to how much they already do for others, nor policies and procedures that outline that they only focus on their ministry. Jesus simply stated: “You go, and do likewise.”
In other words: when we become aware of someone’s need, we are to express compassion and mercy. The Samaritan used his time, resources, and money in order to help “his neighbor,” whom he had never met.
What about you? Will you use your social media resources in order to help your persecuted brothers and sisters? It doesn’t cost you anything! Often, the secular world is far more eager to cooperate with others in order to make an extra buck than the Christian world is willing to cooperate with others in order to help an extra person or distribute an extra Bible.
1 John 3:16-18
By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
How do you define biblical love? The answer is simple: “He laid down his life for us.” Immediately, John added: “And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.” That isn’t a maybe but an ought. The Greek word indicates that we owe such love to our brothers and sisters in Christ.
To stress the ought, John used this illustration: “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” As believers, we are aware that our persecuted brothers and sisters are in need of Bibles. Is sharing a Bible fundraiser not the very least of laying down your life for your brothers and sisters? What if we substituted “the world’s goods” with “social media influence”? “But if anyone has social media influence and sees his brother in need. . .”
I don’t think that any policy or procedure can stand against the Bible’s ought. Basically, you’ll either help your persecuted brothers and sisters who are in need of Bibles, or you’ll close your heart against them. There’s no alternative.
John also wrote: “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” It’s so easy to love “in word or talk,” while not doing so “in deed and in truth.” In referring to them as “little children,” John indicates that the spiritual mature wouldn’t have to think twice about the ought of helping those in need. What about you?
Matthew 7:12
So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
This verse is probably the easiest in relation to any Christian, church, ministry, Christian organization, and Christian media outlet. Simply put, if you were a Christian who lived in one of the fifty-two countries where God’s word is banned and didn’t have your own Bible, would you want Christians in the West create awareness for a Bible fundraiser for the persecuted church on their social media?
Undoubtedly, your answer is in the affirmative. Since that’s the case, will you create awareness for a Bible fundraiser for your persecuted brothers and sisters? It doesn’t cost you anything. Yet, I’m afraid that most won’t do so. Why? The entire Old Testament—the Law and the Prophets—has a unified message about doing for others what you would want others to do for you, which is about loving your neighbor as yourself.
Since it doesn’t cost you anything, will you help your persecuted brothers and sisters by sharing a Bible fundraiser on your social media? Even if your share would only distribute one Bible, is that not more than worth it to you?
Mark 9:41
For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.
Not only has God’s word irrefutable commands like, “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matt. 7:12), it also has incredible incentives, to say the least.
Jesus made an astounding statement: “Whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.” Whatever we do as Christians for those who “belong to Christ” will be eternally rewarded, no matter how small it may seem.
Do you believe that? If so, you would be sharing this Bible fundraiser for your persecuted brothers and sisters left and right, right? Such sharing may be one of the easiest rewards you’ll ever receive. Your share could help multiple Christians, especially if you have a large social media following. As such, your share can easily include multiple rewards. And, it doesn’t require any cost or effort on your part.
While we often think about a test of faith in light of extremely difficult circumstances, whether or not you share a Bible fundraiser for your persecuted brothers and sisters is also a test of faith. Simply put: do you believe Jesus’ words? Your actions will tell, right?
Matthew 25:40
And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”
This verse may be one of the most irrefutable Bible verses when it comes to sharing a Bible fundraiser for your persecuted brothers and sisters on your social media. Plain and simple: whatever we do for Jesus’ brothers and sisters, we do to Him. They are interrelated.
John emphasized that when he wrote: “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother” (1John 4:20-21). Our love to our brothers and sisters in Christ is an undeniable indicator of our love to God.
Do you think that your love for God includes sharing a Bible fundraiser for His children, which doesn’t require any cost or effort on your part? Sharing that which will “do good” for those “who are of the household of faith” may be one of the easiest expressions of your love for God. Yet, I’m afraid that most won’t do so. Maybe we’re not as spiritually mature as we think we are.
Hebrews 13:7
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
Let’s address the elephant in the room. This Bible fundraiser is in relation to the purchase of classic Christian ebooks. For example, in order to distribute 100,000 Bibles to our persecuted brothers and sisters, we need 300,000 Christians who are willing to buy THE ENTIRE BOOKSTORE for only $4.00 (50% goes to the distribution of God’s word).
What have these classic books to do with Hebrews 13:7? While these Christian leaders weren’t our leaders during the time they ministered, they “spoke … the word of God.” We’re commanded to “consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.”
Undoubtedly, we can learn much from these former pastors, evangelists, Bible commentators, and Christian leaders, including being inspired by the way they lived their lives, even though we may not always agree when it comes to secondary matters. As such, you will share that which will encourage and inspire Christians.
Ezekiel 16:49
Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy.
God compared His people to Sodom, being like “your sister Sodom.” While this was written to Jews, the Old Testament was written “for our instruction,” urging us to “take heed,” lest we do the same things (1 Cor. 10:11-12). God listed Sodom’s sins that He hadn’t listed in Genesis. They were sins of commission and sins of omission, doing things one shouldn’t do and not doing things one should do.
One of Sodom’s sins of omission was not helping “the poor and needy” when they had the resources to do so. Their sin of not helping “the poor and needy” was in relation to their “prosperous ease.” That’s the case when you have a measure of abundance that causes you to be complacent and neglect those in need. It’s when you’re doing fine and simply want to enjoy your abundance, instead of using your abundance (and your social media influence) for the needs of others. It’s about having a lack of urgency to help those in need when you can easily do so.
To some extent, we all have a measure of “prosperous ease.” For example, I’m afraid that some of us are more concerned about our social media platform than helping more people when we have an opportunity to do so, including God’s own children.
Hebrews 13:3
Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.
As Christians, we’re called to identify ourselves with our persecuted brothers and sisters, as though we’re persecuted with them. Isn’t the same true when it comes to identifying ourselves with those who live in one of the fifty-two countries where God’s word is banned and don’t have a Bible, as though we don’t have a Bible? Indeed, we are to “rejoice with those who rejoice, [and] weep with those who weep,” which are entirely selfless actions (Rom. 12:15).
The believers in Hebrews were willing to joyfully accept the plundering of their property, because they wanted to show compassion to and identify themselves with those who were persecuted for their faith in Jesus (Heb. 10:34). In light of such compassion and identification, are we willing to share a Bible fundraiser for our persecuted brothers and sisters on our social media?
It’s one thing to share Bible verses, theological essays, doctrinal critiques, and inspirational quotes; it’s quite another thing to genuinely love your brothers and sisters in Christ. While sound doctrine is vitally important, so are practical expressions of compassion, identifying ourselves with those who don’t have a Bible.
James wrote about being only a hearer of the word and not a doer (James 1:22-24). Will you help your persecuted brothers and sisters by sharing a Bible fundraiser on your social media? It doesn’t cost you anything. Nothing at all!
2 Corinthians 8:1-4
We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints.
God and Your Social Media is about one question: if you could easily and freely help your brothers and sisters in Christ through your social media, would you do so? In order to add some weight to this question, let’s consider the believers in Macedonia.
They were extremely poor and greatly afflicted. Nevertheless, they were incredibly generous in order to provide relief for God’s saints, to those in Jerusalem and Judea who also faced extreme poverty, whom they had never met. Ironically, those who faced extreme poverty were begging Paul earnestly to help those who also faced extreme poverty.
Undoubtedly, if you were a persecuted Christian and didn’t have your own Bible, you would be more than willing—maybe even begging—to help distribute Bibles to other believers who also don’t have a Bible. In sharp contrast, what about Christians in the West? Are we earnestly begging for an opportunity to share a Bible fundraiser for our persecuted brothers and sisters?
Do you agree that these extremely poor believers in Macedonia put most of us to shame for our unwillingness to use our social media in order to help other Christians, which is without any cost or effort on our part? Zero cost and zero effort to help distribute God’s word to those who don’t have a Bible. To not do so even sounds like a moral crime.
Galatians 6:10
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
As stated before, we have unprecedented opportunities through our social media to share that which is good and that which will “do good.” When we have an opportunity to “do good,” we’re commanded to do so, especially for other Christians.
In all seriousness, whether you’re a Christian, church, ministry, Christian organization, or Christian media outlet, can you support any policy, procedure, or practice that would undermine an opportunity for you to “do good . . . especially to those who are of the household of faith”?
What about parachurch ministries that have a specific ministry focus? Can they set aside biblical directives when those directives don’t fit within their ministry focus? For example, if a ministry has almost three million Facebook followers and can easily and freely share a Bible fundraiser for their persecuted brothers and sisters, should they do so, even though their focus is on families? Is their social media platform more important than helping distribute Bibles to their persecuted brothers and sisters?
Or what about an evangelist who has over one million Facebook followers? Should he make use of a free, simple, and easy opportunity to help distribute Bibles to his persecuted brothers and sisters? Otherwise, is our love not more so “in word or talk” than “in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18)? Or, are we then not more concerned about our interests than the interests of Jesus Christ (Phil. 2:20-21)?
Ultimately, God and Your Social Media is about loving your neighbor as yourself, which is the second greatest commandment. Will you express such love to your persecuted brothers and sisters?
John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
While this book is about twenty-five irrefutable Bible verses to help your brothers and sisters in Christ, these two verses in John are more than sufficient, right? Jesus made it clear what His new commandment is all about: “That you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” Often, it’s helpful to consider how some of the New Testament Christians lived out this new commandment.
For example, the author of Hebrews wrote: “For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do” (Heb. 6:10). How did these Christians serve their brothers and sisters? In Hebrews 10:32-34, we read:
But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.”
These Christians expressed their love to their persecuted brothers and sisters—those who had been imprisoned for their faith—even to the point of joyfully accepting the plundering of their property. Apart from giving your life for someone, can there be a better example of loving your brothers and sisters in Christ “as I have loved you”?
In light of such love, can any Christian, church, ministry, Christian organization, and Christian media outlet find biblical grounds to not share a Bible fundraiser for their persecuted brothers and sisters, especially since it’s without any cost or effort on one’s part? Zero cost and zero effort to help distribute God’s word to Jesus’ persecuted brothers and sisters.
Romans 12:9-13
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
When we read that our love should be genuine, we have to realize that our “love” can also be fake, false, and phony. A counterfeit love may look genuine, but that’s not the case.
Here’s the bottom line of A Simple Test of Your Faith and Love: if you’re unwilling to help distribute Bibles to your persecuted brothers and sisters through your social media, which is without any cost or effort on your part, would you define such an “action” as an expression of genuine love?
Paul also wrote: “Love one another with brotherly affection.” If your sibling didn’t have a Bible and greatly desired one, would you supply a Bible to him or her? What about your persecuted brother or sister, though?
Unless you’re a multi-millionaire, you won’t have the money to provide Bibles to all your spiritual brothers and sisters, to those who live in one of the fifty-two countries where God’s word is banned and don’t have a Bible. While you may not have that kind of money, you do have the opportunity to help provide Bibles by creating awareness for this Bible fundraiser on your social media. Would that fall under “brotherly affection”?
Romans 15:14
I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.
In Hebrews 13:7, we read: “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” With that verse, I addressed “the elephant in the room.” While sharing a Bible fundraiser on your social media doesn’t require any cost or effort on your part, it does cost money to distribute Bibles to our persecuted brothers and sisters (each Bible is $6.00).
In order to do so, I sell classic Christian ebooks. These books have withstood the test of time and have been a tremendous blessing to Christians throughout the years, decades, and even centuries (50% of each purchase goes to the distribution of God’s word). In order to make this Bible fundraiser as appealing as possible, I sell THE ENTIRE BOOKSTORE for only $4.00, which includes over 500 classic Christian ebooks and more.
The main question I addressed in Hebrews 13:7 and now in Romans 15:14 is as follows: is there biblical ground for promoting (classic) Christian books? I believe there is. In writing to the Roman believers, most of whom he had never met, Paul wrote that he was convinced that these believers were “able to instruct one another.” Ultimately, that’s what the purpose of Christian books is all about, seeking to instruct and encourage other believers with sound biblical truth.
Since no person or book is infallible besides the Bible, we can add Paul’s words to the Thessalonian believers: “Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good” (1 Thess. 5:20-21). Because our words aren’t infallible, whether audible or in print, we are to “test everything” and “hold fast what is good.”
Paul didn’t say, “reject everything” that isn’t Scripture. While there may be some things in these classic books that may not be necessarily sound, there’s more than enough instruction and encouragement in these books that is good.
As such, we share classic Christian books that are able to “instruct one another.” Obviously, it’s better to share than to not share such books, especially since 50% of each purchase goes to the distribution of Bibles to our persecuted brothers and sisters.
1 Corinthians 12:21-26
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
Generally speaking, those who live in the East are far more about a collective mindset, and those who live in the West are far more about an individualistic mindset. These two vastly different mindsets can also manifest within “our version” of Christianity.
As such, it’s important to consider and test everything in light of God’s word. Obviously, having been brought up in “our version” of Christianity, we can easily accept everything as normal while that may not be the case.
The apostle Paul likened all Christians to a human body. While that’s true within a local church, it’s even more true when it comes to all Christians throughout the centuries. Since we’re part of the body of Christ, we’re called to “have the same care for one another.” Paul expressed such care as follows: “If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.”
We know that there are many Christians who don’t have their own Bible, those who live in one of the fifty-two countries where God’s word is banned. Will you express care for them? Will you be discouraged with them for not having their own Bible?
What can be easier than to share a Bible fundraiser for your persecuted brothers and sisters on your social media, right? If you’re unwilling to do so, you will have to repent—you will have to change your mind about what it means, “if one member suffers, all suffer together.” Otherwise, you’re causing “division in the body.”
Galatians 5:13-15
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.
As Christians, we’re called to “serve one another.” Does the Bible place a limit on such service? In other words, if you’re already serving others on a daily basis through your church or ministry, can you then ignore or even reject additional opportunities to “serve one another”?
Whether or not Paul wanted to combat such a mindset, he added: “For the whole law is fulfill in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” There’s no limit when it comes to serving others, no matter how much service you are already doing. In His parable about the good Samaritan, Jesus identified “your neighbor” as anyone in need, even though you may have never met him or her before.
Therefore, will you love and serve your persecuted brothers and sisters by sharing a Bible fundraiser on your social media? As a church or ministry, will you do the same, even though such love and service may not fit within your policies, procedures, and practices? If not, how can you reconcile your lack of action with loving your neighbor as yourself?
Maybe God’s word doesn’t want you to only think about your church or your ministry, but also about additional opportunities to help Jesus’ persecuted brothers and sisters, especially since it’s without any cost or effort on your part.
While such an action may sound “radical,” so was Jesus’ love for you. Here’s the bottom line: will Jesus commend you for helping or for not helping other Christians when you have a free, simple, and easy opportunity to do so?
Galatians 6:2-5
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.
As believers, we’re called to “bear one another’s burdens.” According to The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, the word burdens denotes “oppressive suffering.” Essentially, it’s a weight that wears you down due to its heaviness, whether physically or spiritually.
The Christians in the first century often faced some type of persecution. While I don’t want to overuse the Christians in Hebrews, they were willing to bear the burdens of those who were imprisoned for their faith, even to the point of joyfully accepting the plundering of their property (Heb. 10:34).
The author of Hebrews commends them for doing so: “For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do” (Heb. 6:10). In showing compassion to their persecuted brothers and sisters, they fulfilled “the law of Christ,” which is all about Jesus’ new commandment: “That you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”
These Hebrew believers weren’t too radical when they bore the burdens of their imprisoned brothers and sisters. They were simply expressing, “as I have loved you.” In other words, they didn’t think they were “something,” thinking they were above helping other Christians, even though it would come at great personal cost.
How many Christians in the West would joyfully stand with their persecuted brothers and sisters if it would result in the plundering of their property? Maybe we’re not as spiritually mature as we think we are. In other words: if God has blessed you with a significant social media following, are you above helping distribute Bibles to your persecuted brothers and sisters? If so, you may be thinking way more of yourself than you should.
Galatians 6:9
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Paul illustrates our good works with a future harvest, emphasizing that we shouldn’t give up. In that sense, it’s basically a numbers game: “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Cor. 9:6).
To the Ephesian believers, Paul stressed that we’ve been saved “for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10). Jesus emphasized that our good works will “give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16).
While you may be eager to glorify the Father through songs, whether in church or as a Christian artist, what about glorifying the Father through sharing a Bible fundraiser for your persecuted brothers and sisters, which certainly falls under “doing good.”
For example, TobyMac has over five million Facebook followers. If he were to share this Bible fundraiser for his persecuted brothers and sisters, he would distribute more than 17,000 Bibles if only one percent were to participate. That’s quite a harvest. Should he make use of such a free, simple, and easy opportunity?
In the next verse, Paul wrote: “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” As stated before, we have unprecedented opportunities through our social media to share that which is good and that which will “do good.” Such sharing is without any cost or effort on one’s part. Even if your share would only result in the distribution of one Bible, would that not be more than worth it to you?
Philippians 2:4-8
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
As Christians, we’re often not much different from the world, from those who aren’t saved. Our primary goal is to look to our own interests. There’s necessarily nothing wrong with doing so, whether those interests are personal, family, or business-related. To only look to our own interests, though, is wrong. We’re called to also look to “the interests of others.”
When it comes to looking at our own interests, we’re considering doing what is best for us, providing what we need and desire, whether it’s personal, family, or business-related. In the same way, we are to consider doing what is best for others, providing what they need and desire. Such also-looking-to-the-interests-of-others is about having a different mindset, from being only self-centered to also being other-centered.
Paul used Jesus as the prime example of looking to “the interests of others.” In other words, in light of Jesus looking after our interests, even when we were at enmity with God, should we not also humbly look to the interests of our brothers and sisters in Christ? Jesus became a servant, using His “resources” for our good. What about you? Will you use your social media influence for the good of your persecuted brothers and sisters?
Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
God’s word calls us to radical living, grounded in our faith in Jesus. In other words, the way we live our lives reveals the measure and quality of our faith. Such radical living includes “whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
The “whatever” and “everything” covers absolutely everything, including whether or not you’ll share a Bible fundraiser for your persecuted brothers and sisters on your social media, which doesn’t require any cost or effort on your part. What do you think Jesus prefers you to do? Do you think He prefers you to share or not share this Bible fundraiser? In all honesty, can you refuse to share this Bible fundraiser and do so “in the name of the Lord Jesus”?
Furthermore, these classic Christian ebooks will encourage any Christian in his or her faith and walk with Jesus. In the end, though, you have to be fully persuaded that you’re doing God’s will, whether you share or not share this Bible fundraiser.
Personally, I don’t think the answer is difficult, whether you’re a Christian, church, ministry, Christian organization, or Christian media outlet. Ultimately, if you were a persecuted Christians without having your own Bible, what would you have wanted you to do?
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Out of the twenty-five irrefutable Bibles verses, there are three about the classic Christian ebooks, which are being used as a fundraiser for Bibles for our persecuted brothers and sisters. The first one was in relation to Hebrews 13:7. The second one was in relation to Romans 15:14. Obviously, it’s one thing to help distribute Bibles, it’s quite another thing to promote classic Christian books.
In this verse, we’re called to “encourage one another and build one another up.” When Paul wrote these words, there was no printing press, which came in AD 1440. Most likely, he only had the spoken word in mind. Now, however, we can also include the written word. While this verse primarily relates to what we say, it can also include the recommendation of books that are biblically sound.
Without question, these classic Christian books will encourage any Christian in his or her faith and walk with Jesus, even though you may disagree with some about secondary matters. Therefore, when you share these classic Christian books on your social media, you are also helping to encourage and build up other Christians.
Paul ended his statement with, “just as you are doing.” Undoubtedly, as Christians, we can never have enough encouragement or enough of being built up. While we won’t always have other Christians around us who will do so, we do have the “luxury” of having classic books that do the same.
Titus 3:8
The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.
When Paul wrote, “the saying is trustworthy,” he referred to the previous seven verses, which are about our sinfulness and salvation:
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
He also wrote: “I want you to insist on these things.” As a pastor, Titus was instructed to “insist on these things.” Titus was to constantly remind the believers from what kind of lostness they had been saved and the ground and means of their salvation.
Paul then connected the reality of “these things” with being “careful to devote themselves to good works.” Basically, the more we realize our incredible salvation from our lostness, the more careful we are to devote ourselves to good works. On the other hand, the less we realize our incredible salvation from our lostness, the less careful we are to devote ourselves to good works.
Lastly, Paul also defined the essence of good works: “These things are excellent and profitable for people.” Is it “excellent and profitable” for our persecuted brothers and sisters to receive their first Bible? If so, will you then “devote yourself” to sharing this Bible fundraiser on your social media?
Hebrews 6:10
For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.
There’s an inseparable connection between our love to God and our love to His saints. Actually, our love to God is expressed in “serving the saints,” in serving His children. Jesus expressed that connection as follows: “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” (Matt. 25:40). How you relate to and treat God’s children is how you relate to and treat God. As such, our love to God is visible and measurable.
How did these believers demonstrate their love to God “in serving the saints”? We read that in the tenth chapter: “For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one” (Heb. 10:34).
Their identification with “those in prison,” with those who were persecuted for their faith, resulted in the plundering of their property. Needless to say, their love “for his name in serving the saints” was clearly visible. Actually, it’s recorded in God’s word. The same is true, though, for all who express their love to God in serving His saints. He won’t be unjust “so as to overlook your work.”
The “25 Irrefutable Bible Verses about Helping Other Christians When You Have a Free, Simple, and Easy Opportunity to Do So” is ultimately about your love for God, expressed “in serving the saints.” I cannot think of a more simple and easy way to serve God’s saints than by sharing a Bible fundraiser on your social media. Will you do so, expressing your love “for his name”?
In light of the Hebrew believers and the authors’ commendation of them, I don’t think you can find any legitimate excuse to not do so, whether you’re a Christian, church, ministry, Christian organization, or Christian media outlet.
Hebrews 10:24
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.
In essence, “25 Irrefutable Bible Verses about Helping Other Christians When You Have a Free, Simple, and Easy Opportunity to Do So” is about stirring you up “to love and good works,” which goes to the heart of all Christian living. This verse implies that love and good works don’t come naturally. We are to “stir up one another.”
According to The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, the word “stir up” means “to spur on” and “to stimulate.” Every word in this book is meant to stimulate you—to encourage you—to help distribute Bibles to your persecuted brothers and sisters, which doesn’t require any cost or effort on your part.
As I wrote in God and Your Social media: “if these classic Christian books will, indeed, encourage any Christian in his or her faith and walk with Jesus, and if they will, indeed, distribute Bibles to our persecuted brothers and sisters, should you make use of such an opportunity?”
One of the ways to “stir up one another” is to use New Testament illustrations. For example, when Paul wrote about the Macedonian Christians, who had begged him earnestly “for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints,” he encouraged the Corinthian believers to “excel in this act of grace also” (2 Cor. 8:1-7).
Are you “begging” for the favor of helping your persecuted brothers and sisters through your God-given influence, which doesn’t require any cost or effort on your part? In other words: are you eager to help distribute Bibles to your persecuted brothers and sisters? If not, why not?
1 Peter 4:10-11
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
All of our God-given gifts are meant to be used in order “to serve one another.” We are to use these gifts as “good stewards of God’s varied grace.” We should use them wisely as good managers of what God has graciously entrusted to us. Ultimately, we’re accountable to Him for how we’ve used His gracious gifts.
What about the gift of our social media influence? Paul wrote: “What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” (1 Cor. 4:7). While he referred to our spiritual gifts, doesn’t the same apply to our natural gifts and “the gift of our social media influence.” Plain and simple: apart from His grace, we wouldn’t have any social media influence at all.
As such, we are to use our social media influence “to serve one another,” whether we have a small or large social media following. Actually, the larger our social media following, the greater our responsibility and accountability to God as a steward of His grace.
For example, if you were the only one to witness a devastating car crash and refused to call 911, alerting the proper authorities, you would be responsible and accountable for not helping to provide the much-needed help. If you were to refuse to do so in one thousand other cases, you would also be responsible and accountable for those one thousand cases.
Therefore, those who have a large social media following have a far greater accountability to God than those who have a small social media following. The more opportunities you have to bless others, the greater your responsibility and accountability to do so.
Plain and simple: your social media following doesn’t belong to you; it has been given to you in order “to serve one another” to the glory of God. What can be easier than to serve your persecuted brothers and sisters by simply sharing a Bible fundraiser on your social media, right?
James 4:17
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
All of creation, all of life, all of salvation, and all of eternity is about doing what is right. The Bible teaches a dualistic worldview. It’s either right or it is sin, which literally means “to miss the mark.” We either hit the mark or we miss the mark. We’ve been created and saved to do what is right and pleasing to the Father.
Therefore, is it right and pleasing to the Father for you to help distribute Bibles to His persecuted children, to those who live in one of the fifty-two countries where His word is banned and don’t have a Bible? Or, is it right and pleasing to the Father to not help distribute Bibles to His persecuted children, to those who live in one of the fifty-two countries where His word is banned and don’t have a Bible?
These two questions are in relation to any Christian, church, ministry, Christian organization, and Christian media outlet. The Bible doesn’t compartmentalize ministry. When you have an opportunity to love your neighbor as yourself, is it right or wrong to do so? Yes, that also applies to ministries that have a single focus. Actually, to not do so is to undermine what ministry is all about—to serve others.
Often, we lean on our own understanding and not on the Lord. We reason opportunities to love our neighbor away, because they don’t fit within our policies, procedures, and practices. As such, we’re more like the priest and Levite, who “passed by on the other side,” than the good Samaritan.
Whether you’re a Christian, church, ministry, Christian organization, or Christian media outlet, can you honestly say that it’s right for you to not use your God-given influence for the distribution of His word to your persecuted brothers and sisters? Will you be able to use that reason when you stand before God and have to give an account of how you managed your God-given influence?
Without question, there’s incredible potential to help distribute Bibles to our persecuted brothers and sisters. Is there any biblical reason why we shouldn’t use our God-given influence for the distribution of His word?
Conclusion
In relation to godless people, God said: “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them” (Gen. 11:6). There’s strength (and much result) in unity.
What if Christians were to unite for the distribution of Bibles to our persecuted brothers and sisters, to those who live in one of the fifty-two countries where God’s word is banned and don’t have their own Bible? Even if your social media share would result in the distribution of one Bible to one of your persecuted brothers or sisters, would that not be more than worth it to you?
Without question, through our social media we have unprecedented opportunities to share that which is good and that which will “do good.” And, it doesn’t require any cost or effort on our part. That brings us back to the main question: If you could easily and freely help God’s saints through your social media, would you do so? If so, here’s something you can use:
Most of us have numerous Bibles. There are many Christians, though, who don’t have a Bible, those who live in one of the fifty-two countries where God’s word is banned. For more information about how you can make a significant difference for your persecuted brothers and sisters, please go to www.HelpThePersecutedChurch.com. Your help is greatly appreciated!
In the end, you’re encouraging Christians in their spiritual growth and you’re helping distribute Bibles to your persecuted brothers and sisters. A win-win! A simple test of your faith and love, indeed!