Acts 9:36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. 37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. 39 Then Peter arose" .... "and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed" ....... 41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
This passage of scripture shows us the precious legacy of unbiased kindness to all that was manifested in Dorcas, and the good results that have accrued even in our day from her godly example. We observe in the passage that she used her talents for the good of humanity, and the kingdom of God was benefited as a result. With many people, kindness is not uniform as it ought to be and is sometimes motivated by other underlying currents such as self interest or tax evasion, and sometimes even a good and favorable standing in the community. In other instances some are offended if the good deeds done are not trumpeted abroad for all to take notice, but not so with Dorcas, who did good from her heart because Christ dwelt within her, and wherever Christ dwells, nothing but good can come forth. Let's read:
James 3:11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. 7 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
However, as it is with all of us, Dorcas too was also mortal and subject to the frailties of fallen human nature, and after years of faithful service in the cause of God, she finally succumbed to death, which caused much grief within the community of believers. The results of transgression across the entire planet touches everyone that is born into this world, and sooner or later it reaches home to those whom we hold dear, including ourselves. Dorcas was not exempt from sickness and death on account of her good deeds, and even though many tears were shed at her passing, yet her fellow-believers understood that the inevitable must take place.
However, in this instance, God chose to reverse the natural law that pertains to sin and death, and through Peter, He raised Dorcas back to life so that she could continue where she had left off, doing good from her heart, and being blessed with the joy of loving service.
The whole experience of Dorcas has precious lessons for us of which we should be cognizant, for the Christian's life is not one of solitary meditation in a vacuum all by ourselves, but it is rather an active and productive mode of living, whereby all those we come in contact with are touched by the kindness of God's grace. And like Dorcas, everyone of us are instructed to have an active ministry in service for Christ, through which the principles and benefits of God's kingdom can be extended to all. This is how the rubber meets the road in our experiences and it is not optional, but rather given as a command. Let's read:
Romans 12:4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
If this model here given were to be adopted and followed by every member of the Christian community, what a huge difference would be made in the world, as many who are now going down into Christless graves could hear and experience the love of the Savior, who died to redeem us from the curse, and thus could have opportunity to be saved in God's kingdom. Let us therefore rise to the occasion and follow in the footsteps of Dorcas, for the essence of Christianity is not only in an intellectual knowledge of the truth, but rather in willing and loving service to God and to others. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to adopt this model, and God will give us His enabling grace to put it into practice on a daily basis. Let's read:
Romans 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!