Who is your neighbor?

God Bless you as you start your work week.

Yesterday, we had a guest preacher, a pastor that grew up in our church and now is the pastor of a congregation in Connecticut. He preached on the Gospel of Luke, the 10th chapter, verses 25-37. This is the parable of the good Samaritan, a story we have all heard many times, but we still need reminding often.

"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
      Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."  (Luke 10:36-37)

The sermon yesterday challenged us as faithful servants of God to look inside and decide whether we truly treat all of our neighbors as we would want to be treated. Or do we only treat those we feel are worthy? So who do you consider your neighbor? Is it the person that was your personal nemesis when you were growing up? How about the cranky old neighbor that yells at your kids when the ball goes in their yard? What about those that attack you for your Christian beliefs? Do you pray for them? Would you stop to help them as the Samaritan did to help the Jew if they were injured or abused?

The answer to all of the above my friends needs to be yes. Look at things from God's perspective for a minute. He gave us free will and with it we are sinful by nature. We sin constantly, with no sin greater or less than another. Yet, He loves us all so much that He sent his only Son to die on the cross for us. He sees us through Jesus as pure and clean, without sin. This is how we must view others, our neighbors. We must look at everyone through the eyes of Jesus and treat them how Jesus has treated us, with great love and compassion, willing to give up his own life for us.

Pray that you will have the strength and the faith to make the right decisions when you encounter others. Think about what Jesus would do if in your situation.

God Bless you!

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