LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR
Richard Harris
Today's Scripture: “For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside.” 1 Corinthians 5:12-13a, ESV
Theme: Fellow believers may speak the truth to others in the church, but do not hold the world to that standard. Instead, show love.
SHOW LOVE
We share this earthly space with many neighbors, many of whom are not like us. They come from diverse cultures, different interests, and different religious affiliations. Many have no religious belief at all. Some are fellow believers of eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. How is your interaction with all of them? How do you behave around those who are different?
Do you have a good relationship with unbelievers? Do you like or hate them? Are you tolerant around them? Are you concerned about their salvation, or do you spend most of your energy judging them? How do you act when not in Christian company? Do you share your faith? What does Jesus tell us?
In the Gospel of Mark 16:15, Jesus told His disciples to go into all the world to tell everyone that He had paid the penalty for sin. The Good News is that those who believe in Him can be forgiven and live eternally with God. Jesus rose from the dead and lives today. There are many people out there who have never heard of this Good News! Are you living this loving sacrifice? Are you sharing the Love? Do you love your neighbor enough to share your faith with others? Are you using your words to lift your fellow Christians when you see them stray? Love is the greatest commandment. Not partial love, not selective love, not false love; but TOTAL Love.
HOW AM I DOING?
As I ask you these questions, I ask myself the same. I am trying, but I am not perfect on this evangelistic path. I have assisted in the restoration of fellow Christians. I do have the respect of friends from other faiths. I let my actions show the benefits of following Christ to nonbelievers. I have successfully led outsiders into my faith-based world. It seems, from the outside, like I get it … I am a tremendous success! Not really. This can be a slow process. I must remind myself to be wise in the way I act towards all people. I do try to make the most of every opportunity.
Making it Personal: Where are you on this journey? Here is where I am failing: My own family. My kids and their kids. That is eight remarkably close individuals, who know me well … too well. They knew me back before my faith in Jesus changed me. I let them drift into an out-of-focus world. I not only took my eyes off them, but I took my eyes off Him. In all honesty, I let worldly ways place God on the horizon, not ever-present in my heart. That is the old me they still see. They know I am trying to get them to understand something clearly at last. They seem to be where I was at their age. My daily prayers and quiet time circulate around this paradigm. I have employed many tactics to share my faith. I believe some of these endeavors are gaining ground. As I chip away their unresolved issues, using direct conversation - cartoons - poems - and prayer, I receive little bits of positive feedback. This is my greatest project. Bring them back! With my wife and three children, we were always a Sunday church kind of family, serving, singing, praising, and spreading the Word. But it needs to be more than that, doesn't it?
There is an entire world in need of salvation but let us begin by introducing our friends to Jesus, learning to follow Him, and celebrating His presence in our lives. Then we can tackle sharing this love with the rest of the world.
Pray: Almighty and Everlasting Lord, we pray for peace in this world – a world that You have lovingly created - but which our human transgressions have fouled the peaceful harmony and beauty of Your intended masterpiece. Allow us to be a part of Your work in the restoration of that harmony of humanity, and the beauty of Your earthly kingdom. May we keep our eye on the miracle of Your new Covenant, as we continue to share the Good News of Your works through Your Son, our Savior: Jesus Christ. Amen.
Read: Mark 12:30-31; Matthew 22:36-40; Romans 6:23
Weekly Memory Verse: “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1-2, ESV