Salvation is both a gift and a mission. Those who believe in Jesus are urged not only to receive God’s love, but also to pass it on and share it with others.
“But Jesus answered them, ‘My Father has been working until now, and I have been working’” (John 5: 17). This is the Bible text Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider used on 6 February 2026 in Livingstone in Zambia.
“Today’s Bible text is taken from the story of the miracle at the pool of Bethesda,” the Chief Apostle continued. A paralysed man had been waiting by the pool for 38 years to be healed. And then Jesus came and said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” As this happened on the Sabbath, the Pharisees were outraged. Jesus responded, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.” This is how He affirmed the fact that He is God’s Son. For as the Son of God He possesses the same nature, the same authority, and the same power as the Father.
Jesus’ mission on earth
The Chief Apostle said that Jesus does the will and work of God. This includes the following:
- He came to earth to bring humankind eternal life.
- He brought eternal life to the world through the power of the word of God.
- He sacrificed His life, making it possible for human beings to come to God to obtain grace—thanks to Christ’s merit.
- He loves all of humankind unconditionally and forgets no one.
- He did the will of God despite all the difficulties He had to deal with. He remained steadfast until the end.”
The untiring God
“God is still at work,” the Chief Apostle said. “God is not sleeping. He is at work as the Creator and working in His work of salvation.” He desires to preserve His creation, and He cares for it and for us. He wants to grant us eternal life and save all of humankind. “Salvation is possible for all who believe and follow Jesus Christ.”
God works for the salvation of every single person:
- “He cares for you in your daily life.”
- “Trust in God and accept His word. Believe that His word is your solution even if it seems to have absolutely nothing to do with your current situation.”
- “He is still patient and still ready and willing to forgive.”
- “God is at work for you, making sure that your trials and your temptations do not become too difficult for you.”
- “God also shapes us so that we can be perfectly integrated into His kingdom.”
God’s children do God’s work
Through the rebirth out of water and the Spirit we became children of God. Chief Apostle Schneider explained: “We have received the life that is of the same nature as God’s. Because we are children of God we do the same work as God.” Not because we are forced or out of a sense of duty, but because God’s life lives within us. “We proclaim the will of God and the word of God as Jesus did,” and not only “with our words, but also with our behaviour.”
“We desire the salvation of all human beings and want to help them by contributing to their salvation.” Let us love our neighbour without any conditions, as Jesus did. We are committed and contribute to the functioning of the church of Christ. “We help, we work, we bring our offerings, we contribute to the unity of the church,” the Chief Apostle said. Jesus served God and did His will in good days and in very bad days. A true child of God does God’s will by being obedient and loving, and by serving and forgiving no matter what life’s circumstances may be. “For our service to God is related to our very nature and not to our circumstances.”
Stand up and work
Chief Apostle Helper Helge Mutschler added, “This great, omniscient God tells us to stand up and that we can do it even if we think we cannot do it.” The Chief Apostle Helper urged the congregation not to be lazy because God is not lazy either, but to get to work. This work takes place in our congregation and in our neighbourhood. “Give the people who are in your neighbourhood the mercy of God. Do good and bring them closer to God. Tell them about Jesus.”
Photos: NAC Sambia
