From this story of the Good Samaritan we learn: Three Principles about our Neighbors 1. The Lack of love is often easy to justify. Maybe they seem to be Crazy neighbors, no time, no energy, too busy.... 2. Our neighbor is anyone of any race, creed, or social background who is in need. It starts in your neighborhood. It starts in the sphere of influence that God has you a part of! 3. Love means taking action when a person is in need. Taking action is huge because that is when compassion starts becoming Radical Radical Compassion Is not a warm fuzzy feeling, it is a choice and an action and it involves some sacrifice In John 13:34 (NIV) Jesus says “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Whoa ! Jesus was the living example of God’s love. We are to be living examples of Jesus’ love. What does Radical Compassion look like? Think of Jesus as I read these: Helping when it is not convenient. Jesus came down to earth to sacrifice for us. Giving when it hurts. Jesus died on the cross. Devoting energy to others welfare rather than your own. Jesus was concerned for others. Absorbing hurts from others without complaining or fighting back. It’s hard not too. Jesus didn’t fight back. Radical Compassion is Sacrifice! Our Time, money, Resources, Talent, Donkey( or something) , our Pride Radical Compassion is a choice and an action and it involves some sacrifice. Such love will bring other believers to Christ This is where prayer comes in – I cannot love my neighbor like Jesus did without prayer! I can’t love my neighbor without a relationship with Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit.This is why people notice when you have this Christ like love! Taking Action – What would that look like? What if we had Jesus attitude in loving our neighbors? We are commanded to love our neighbor like Christ loved us. But he is a crazy neighbor -So? I am still going to love him. He doesn’t think like me, look like me, act like me, talk like me – So? He doesn’t go to church and He’s not a Christian – So? He’s a Samaritan? So? Where you live, there are needy people. There is no good reason not to help. Pray and be willing to do what God shows you to do. We are commanded to Love our neighbor as Jesus loves us. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35
Posted on: Sat, 01 Feb 2014 16:16:00 +0000