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THE MINISTRY OF COMFORT IS a ministry of mercy and of kindness. It is a ministry of service.

It is a ministry of "strength"—one of giving strength to those among us who are downtrodden

and weakened by life's onslaughts. Micah 6:8 tells us, "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (NKJV). Verses 6-7 ask questions about personal sacrifices of goods we may offer to God. The subject in Micah is burnt offerings and calves and atonement for sin. But the principle is clear: God is interested in MERCY and he is interested in your GIVING mercy. Do not expect to receive mercy from God if you do not give mercy to others, even to those with whom you disagree! God's response to mercy is to give mercy. On the other hand...! Do you want mercy? THEN GIVE MERCY! "For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment" (Jas.2:13). (The preacher's job is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. Are you comfortable? Do you think you DESERVE any good thing from God? Why you and not someone else?)

Life is not fair; we know that. But someone serving in the Ministry of Comfort can make up for the unfairness of life, even if only a little bit. The deeds we do, good or bad are permanent parts of our past life. As soon as our good deeds are done, they travel into the history book and are never forgotten. They become part of our permanent record. On the other hand, when we do evil deeds, when we hurt people and rob and destroy, when we talk behind their backs, and cut and bite one another, these deeds also become part of our historical record, but God MAY forgive our evil deeds. However, our wrongdoing and evils acts are only forgiven when we forgive others and when we ask God to forgive us in like manner. But the good deeds we do remain as reminders to God of a heart of flesh. "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matt.6:14-15). Forgiveness is not optional. We will be forgiven ONLY as we forgive others.

HERE IS A RIDDLE: Our good deeds or works do not save us, yet we are created in Jesus to do good works (deeds). "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Eph.2:10). What happens if we refuse to do good works? God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. "What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? ... Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith, and I have works.' Show me your faith without your works and I will show you my faith by my works ... But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? ... Do you see that faith was working together with his works and by works faith was made perfect? ... You see then that a man is justified by works and not by faith only" (Jas.2:14-24).

When we lend our strength to the weak, we are serving in the Ministry of Comfort—we are doing good works in faith. The Greek word translated "Comforter" actually means "alongside of" or "one called alongside to help." A comforter is an intercessor, a pleader of causes, a consoler, and an advocate (Gr. paracletos G3875). Are you part of the problem or part of the solution? If you are strengthening a brother or sister, you are part of the solution. If you are helping to prop up a loved one, you are part of the solution. If you are an "encourager," a "consoler," an "intercessor," or a "care-giver," you are part of the solution. When we pray for others, we are part of the solution and we are participating in the Ministry of Comfort. Intercessory prayer is powerful. God answers intercessory prayer. This is unselfish prayer.

We minister comfort by our physical presence. Sometimes just being with a person, sitting in the room, or holding a person's hand is sufficient. Just coming to service and singing our hearts out is comforting to all. Indeed, sometimes that is all we are able to do. But a phone call is inexpensive ministry. We minister comfort by the things we say. What we say has to be tempered by mercy and kindness. Too often people blurt out stupid things, such as "Time heals all wounds" or "You'll get over it" and the like. We minister comfort by sharing the word of God. Reading to a hurting heart is comforting. We minister comfort by praying. Intercessory prayer: "Let me pray for you" works like magic. We minister comfort by mobilizing the congregation. Putting the group to work as advocates of mercy. We minister comfort by instructing our congregations on how to encourage others. We minister comfort by preaching the word of God in season and out of season. We minister comfort day-by-day, building one kind and merciful service upon the next. Comfort comes in small incremental steps. Giant steps are unheard of in the Ministry of Comfort. Consistency is key. The time we devote to the Ministry of Comfort is invested time--it is not wasted, although sometimes we see no immediate results. Results may not be dramatic but results, good results, always come from the Ministry of Comfort properly implemented. GOD REQUIRES BELIEVERS TO LOVE MERCY (Mic.6:8). (END)