In trying times we can become so weary and disheartened but Gal 6:9 (TPT) says “don’t allow yourselves to be weary or disheartened in planting good seeds, for the season of reaping the wonderful harvest you’ve planted is coming.” Gal 6:10 tells us to “take advantage of every opportunity to be a blessing to others, especially to our brothers and sisters in the family of faith!”
Therefore, focusing on perspectives from the church’s history on social relationships, we see that Christianity served as a renewal movement which originated in reaction to the miseries, chaos, fear, and brutality of life in the urban Greek-Roman world.
By offering new norms and types of social relationships, Christianity changed the life in Greek-Roman cities. In cities filled with homeless and poor people, Christians displayed charity and created new hope. Newcomers and strangers acquired a place of belonging in this community.
Orphans and widows also found a new and extended family relationship there.
Christianity created a new basis of social solidarity in a society torn apart by violent ethnic arguments.
In cities, which were struck by epidemics, fires, and earthquakes, Christians offered effective nursing services. This movement created a new culture, where Christians promoted their servant attitude during plagues. Instead of fleeing, Christians remained in the urban areas and served and cared for the sick.
During the two epidemics which each killed up to a third of the entire population of the Roman Empire, the Christian message of salvation through God’s offering was a more satisfactory explanation of why bad things happen to good people.
Furthermore, the closer social unity and mutual assistance enabled them to handle disasters better with fewer victims among the general population (Stark, 1996). So, dearest reader, do not loose hope in doing good. Become a blessing.
