Who Is My Neighbor?

For if you love them which love you, what thank have ye? For sinners also love those that love them.

And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? For sinners also do even the same.

Luke 6:32-33 KJV

On one occasion while Jesus was teaching, an expert in the law asked him what he must do to inherit eternal life (see Luke 10:25-37). Jesus asked the man what the law said, to which the lawyer answered that one must love God with all of one's soul, strength, and mind and to love one's neighbor as himself. Jesus' reply probably surprised this man. He said, "Do this and you will live." 

Perhaps this individual loved his family and friends. He probably loved his fellow teachers of the law, so hoping to justify himself, he asked, "Who is my neighbor?"

What follows is commonly known as the parable of the good Samaritan. Jesus shows us that our neighbor can be anyone whom we run across with a need. Our love and care for others must cross ethnic and social lines. Love knows no distinctions between the rich or the poor. In fact we are to even love our enemies.

In a surprising twist we see the two religious men pass by the man who was beaten and left for dead. We might have expected them to have some compassion. The biggest surprise however was the Samaritan who did stop to help. The Samaritans were hated by the Jews, who looked down on them as a mixed race of people. This man stopped to render aid to someone who very likely might have despised him. 

The priest and levite who passed by were no better than the sinners who only loved those who would love them back. It's likely that the teacher of the law that Jesus was speaking with was no better. How about us? How about you? It is easy to love friends and family, but what about that homeless man on the corner, or that woman with a "reputation"? Your neighbor may be Muslim, or Hindu. Maybe the person who needs your help the most right now is an atheist. God calls us to show them love just the same.

Jesus finished this parable by asking the man who was the neighbor to the one who fell among thieves. The lawyer answered, "The one who showed mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."  That is the call for us as well.

Robados de las calles - La historia de George Muller (Pelicula cristiana)

Undefiled Religion.

     The federal government of the United States runs many programs that provide care for individuals with various needs. They provide food, shelter, medical care,etc. Through The taxpayers, many opportunities exist for needy individuals. These programs are not perfect, and individuals can fall through the cracks, while others can abuse the system, but this is not the point of this post.
     It seems that there is much concern that we as a nation are stretched too thin. Money is also sent overseas for various reasons as well. Some no doubt is for humanitarian efforts, such as was sent to help in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti. This has concerned many. A common thought among many, even those within the church is that we should not be sending money to aid other countries when we have so many needs within our own. On the surface, this would seem right and fair. However it is not scriptural!
     The Bible lays the responsibility for the care of the needy upon the church, not the federal government! When I say needy, I mean needy. It is also unscriptural to be an enabler. Many individuals can care for themselves but won't if someone else will. Paul's motto was "If you won't work, you won't eat!" (2 Thess 3:10).
     We as the church are called to look out for the needs of one another within the church. The early church made sure that no one lacked. The first deacons were chosen, not to run a corporate business, but to ensure that everyone who had need was taken care of. Throughout the Bible, old as well as new testament, God's people were to look out for the needy among them. Widows, orphans, beggars, had no one. Unable to care for themselves, they were overlooked by society, and had no hope. This is where the love of God, that fills the hearts of His children was to be made manifest. Look at what John had to say, "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?" (1John 3:17).
     The biblical command to love your neighbor as yourself requires us to not only look out for one another within the church, but also those without. Jesus told a story to show that a neighbor can be anyone who we come upon with a need. True christian love is not restricted by economic, social, or ethnic status. It is extended to any and all as the need arises.While it is true that we all have a sphere of influence around us, where we as individuals, and individual congregations can do the most good, it is also true that we can help others elswhere as well. Paul collected money from gentile congregations to help needy saints in Jerusalem, much like we may donate to a charity who helps others overseas, like relief efforts in Haiti, or Japan, or famine stricken areas in Africa.
     There are countless numbers of truly needy people all around us. The homeless, abused, addicts, etc. The greatest need of all is to be reconciled to God. While we can be grateful that many are helped by government programs, we as christians need to be ready to come to the aid of those around us, meeting the spiritual needs as well as the physical.  We are called to love others with the love of Christ. Our God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, He never calls us to do something that is impossible, but will provide as we seek Him and His kingdom first. This is how the early christians lived, with no help from the Roman government, yet in the power of the Holy Spirit, they lived out the gospel.