NEIGHBORS
How am I to love my neighbors?
God's Response:
Love your neighbor as yourself.
Matthew 22:39
"The Samaritan soothed [the man's] wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, 'Take care of this man. 'If his bill runs higher than this, I'll pay you the next time I'm here.'
"Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits? Jesus asked. The man replied. "The one who showed him mercy." "Then Jesus said, "Yes, now go and do the same."
Luke 10:34-37
Our Takeaway:
Why did Jesus say to love your neighbor as yourself? Because He knows that our first instinct is to take care of ourselves. If we can just train ourselves to care for others the way we care for ourselves, then we have truly made our neighbors a priority. And caring for others is what love is all about. Every time you show love to your neighbors, God is touching hearts - theirs and yours.
Gods Challenge:
It is good when you obey the royal law as found in Scriptures: "Love your neighbor as yourself"
James 2:8
Big T's Thought To Ponder:
I think that our "neighbors" may be one of the single most important blessings that Gods give us, really... Think about all the relationships God has given you... All your relationships! We are to give every person that God allows into our path the same amount of love as we do for ourselves - WOW, what does that look like?
My initial thought is, if everyone would just follow this basic instruction from God, this world would be a completely different place, there would be a "Extreme Makeover - Global Edition". It would be as close to heaven as we could ever imagine. We would have no war, we would have no crime, we would have no arguments, no division in the church, there would be no rich verses the poor, good verses evil... everyone would have everything they need or want, we would rally around each other In Christ. Complete oneness and global unity in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.... Awesome!
The author did make a comment that didn't set well with me and I believe it to be one of the reasons we have been unable to accomplish and carry out this simple instruction from our Savior, Jesus Christ. He said that "if we can just train ourselves", here inlays the very core of our problem - We Can't! We have been down this road, we have already tried to train ourselves, this has been our biggest stumbling block, road block, and it is exactly what has gotten us in the mess we have in the world today.
We need to quit trying and start trusting! I'll say it again, we need to quit trying to train ourselves up and to start trusting in Christ Jesus to do the training us up. Why would we ever even consider training or trusting in ourselves after reading the "basic instructions before leaving earth" manual in which has been provided to us. Our Holy Bible clearly states and tells us in John 15, to Abide in yourselves and everything will be wonderful? NO!!! It says to abide in Me... remain in Me... spend time with me... I am the Way, the Truth and the Life... trust in Me... be evenly yoked with Me, my burden is light... you can do all things In Me...
Get off the trying treadmill and get into the trusting in Christ hammock; rest in the finished work of our glorious Savior. We just need to trust and abide in His Word and let Him guide us... shape us... transform us... and love the people that God allows in our path. That means EVERYONE God allows in our path! That means we may be called to love someone today that is unlovable - just allow the love of Christ living in you to get it done - He can and He will do it!
God is love! - God indwells me! - He is a living water, a spring bubbling up in us! Let the love of of Christ Jesus flow through you today and soak all the neighbors put in your path!
