Paul writes that the love of Christ compels us to be engaged in the ministry. (II Corinthians 5:14) The history of the church has numerous heroes who selflessly served people, demonstrating the love of Christ.
Graham Staines: The Staines family lived in the village of Baripada in the Mayurbhanj district. Graham Staines was a man who dedicated his life to leprosy patients. Collector Balakrishnan, who was familiar with his services, saw an incident that would stay in his mind one day while going through the market. When he saw Staines’ vehicle parked in front of an old tire shop, he wondered, “Did such a good man come to put old tires on his own vehicle?” — the collector (Balakrishnan, IAS) was surprised. But when he inquired, he found out — lepers cannot wear normal shoes; their toes are deformed. So Staines bought old tires, measured, cut and sewed them with his own hands, and made shoes for his patients who were lepers. A medical doctor who made shoes for lepers.
Rush to help: When a major accident occurred, the ambulance was late. That’s when Graham Staines took the same vehicle in which he was later burned alive, and along with his nurses, rushed to save the injured. The injured were taken to the hospital in Cuttack, hundreds of kilometres away, in his own vehicle.
Martyred for good work: Graham Staines and his two sons, while sleeping in their van, were surrounded by hate ideology followers and were burnt alive on 23 January 1999. When Cain could not be righteous like Abel, he was angry and murdered him. (Genesis 4:8) Similarly, those who cannot do selfless service of love, envy them and instigate violence and death upon the Church.
Forgave: Gladys Staines, his wife, forgave the perpetrators of the horrific crime, and so did his daughter, who lost her father and two brothers. The two women followed the model of the Lord Jesus Christ, who prayed for forgiveness for perpetrators of hate and violence against Him when he was crucified. (Luke 23:34)
Do I demonstrate humility, love, and compassion in my life?