Christians are Called to Do Something

All Christians should have a healthy habit of prayer and reading the bible, so I do not intend to knock those practices in anyway. They are not only important, but they are also essential to growing in Christ. Nevertheless, as Christians, we are called to do more than just pray and read the bible.

Life is full of confusion, suffering, injustice, and evil begetting more and more evil. That's why just about everyone desires to see God reveal Himself. I think that no matter what a person believes about God, whether Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, or even atheist or agnostic, everyone will at some point recognize that the world desperately needs God. Nevertheless, a variety of different responses result from this recognition.

Some people see all of the confusion, sadness and evil and conclude that life is incompatible with the existence of a perfect God. I disagree, but I'm not trying to prove them wrong in this article. They might do everything they can to help the world in order to make up for the lack of God. I sometimes feel embarrassed for Christians because of these people, and I hope that they will continue in their good works (but that they may also believe in God). Sadly, some who do not believe in God may just fend for themselves and forget about everyone else; or they may just give up on life completely.

Then there are people who believe in God. We might also accept that life is full of problems while choosing to do nothing about it. It's easier to just let someone else handle it- perhaps we are thinking, "preferably God Himself in some mysterious way that does not involve me." Realistically, we'll admit, God will most likely just use someone else. Or we might even try to come up with excuses- "Maybe everyone is just getting what they deserve... it's not my problem... I've got my own problems... I've got a different calling in life... it'll all work out for the best in the end according to the bible anyway, so I'm just letting God carry out His will."

Other believers long for God even more. They pray for God to reveal Himself and they open up the bible to find answers. Hopefully after praying and reading, we will all find out that praying and reading is not the only thing that Christians are called to do.

God reveals Himself to mankind through the actions of believers.
A number of scriptures support this conclusion:

Called to Preach the Gospel
"How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without preaching? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things!" - Romans 10

"Of this gospel I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effectual working of His power." - Ephesians 3"

Called to Administer God's Grace, Mercy, and Compassion in Many Ways
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ." - 1 Peter Ch. 4

By Giving to Those Who are in Need
"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." - 1 John Ch. 3

"Then the King shall say to those on His right hand, Come, blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me food; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you took Me in; I was naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me. Then the righteous shall answer Him, saying, Lord, when did we see You hungry, and fed You? Or thirsty, and gave You drink? When did we see You a stranger, and took You in? Or naked, and clothed You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and came to You? And the King shall answer and say to them, Truly I say to you, Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, you have done it to Me." - Matthew Ch. 25

"The Spirit of the Lord Jehovah is on Me; because Jehovah has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to preach the acceptable year of Jehovah and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to appoint to those who mourn in Zion, to give to them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the mantle of praise for the spirit of heaviness; so that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Jehovah, that He might be glorified." - Isaiah Ch. 61

Some ways that aren't so popular among many Christians... but are still a reflection of God:

God Manifests Himself Through Government
"Let every soul be subject to the higher authorities. For there is no authority but of God; the authorities that exist are ordained by God. So that the one resisting the authority resists the ordinance of God; and the ones who resist will receive judgment to themselves. For the rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the bad. And do you desire to be not afraid of the authority? Do the good, and you shall have praise from it. For it is a servant of God to you for good. For if you practice evil, be afraid, for it does not bear the sword in vain; for it is a servant of God, a revenger for wrath on him who does evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience' sake. For because of this you also pay taxes. For they are God's servants, always giving attention to this very thing." - Romans 13