Multiplying by zero

We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19)

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. (John 15:12)

Multiply zero by any other number, no matter how high, and the result will be the same. Altruism is doubly pointless when both the one who seeks the good of others and those he seeks to help are ignorant of the meaning of life…The good works we perform for our fellow man are filthy rags in God’s sight because of His surpassing holiness (Isa. 64:6; Titus 3:5). (Jason Stellman, Dual Citizens, p. 107)

Should we serve people and engage in social and political issues? Yes. Should we do it at the expense of or with more importance than sharing the Gospel? No. However, we can - and should - do them concurrently. Just preaching the Gospel without engaging those around us is little more than shouting at the masses, acting as the Pit Preacher at UNC or the Brickyard Preacher at State. Just engaging the world without sharing the truth that is found in Christ is giving a false and fleeting hope; it's multiplying our works by zero.

Doing both? Now that's Christ-like. That's the Gospel.