Together we can understand what scripture says
‘So God has put the body together such that extra honour and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honoured, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.
(1 Corinthians 12:24b-27 NLT)
‘Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.’
(Hebrews 10:23-25)
‘Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour: if either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.’
(Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)
The Salvation Army is part of the trinitarian Church; our third doctrine says, ‘We believe that there are three persons in the Godhead – the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, undivided in essence and co-equal in power and glory.’
In God we know and understand unity, equality, and inclusion. These characteristics can be reflected and experienced when we come together to worship, share fellowship and engage in mission.
As part of the Church we are intimately involved in this unity, so much so that Scripture describes the Church as the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:27 (NLT) says,
‘All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.’
Victims and survivors of human trafficking are of all faiths and none, but The Salvation Army is part of the body of Christ and as such we can support our friends and colleagues, as members care for each other, working in the projects we are learning about during this appeal. We can also pray that their kindness and persistence in their work will enable those of other faiths to see something of the character of who we know to be the living God.
Journeying alongside survivors of trafficking, hearing their experiences and providing care and support can be painful and challenging. As Salvation Army employees, officers and volunteers serve with compassion in these projects and in the communities, connecting with survivors and their families, they will be encouraged by our prayerful and practical support.
Hebrews 10:23-25 reminds us to
‘consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds’,
and Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 reminds us that ‘
'two are better than one’.
Our midweek group might have changed a lot over the last few years – perhaps our membership has reduced, or we have had to consider other ways to bring people together. Maybe we can work together with other groups in our church or setting?
Imagine if different corps and church groups could come together to ‘spur one another on’ in the raising of awareness and funds for international Salvation Army projects. This can practically reflect the partnerships that project officers rely on in their work with victims and survivors of trafficking.
