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Who Is Your Neighbor? May 04 2012
"But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him." - Luke 10:33
It was once explained to me that the reason we are commanded to love our neighbors and to love our enemies is that they are often the same people. We can see how this bit of philosophy was developed if we closely examine the story of the Good Samaritan.
Notice that the Samaritan was from an ethnic group that the Jews positively despised. And, while the assaulted man was repeatedly ignored by his own people, the hated Samaritan willingly gave aid to the injured Jewish man. Now, if Jesus were telling the story in Israel today, He might change "Samaritan" to "Arab Muslim." Or, if He were speaking to Palestinians, He might say it was an "Israeli soldier" that helped. If He were speaking to liberal Democrats, He might change "Samaritan" to "conservative Republican." If He were speaking to conservative Republicans, He might change "Samaritan" to a "liberal Democrat." Whomever Jesus would be speaking to, He would replace "Samaritan" with that group's current "enemy." That's how Jesus expects us to define the term neighbor.
One reason Christianity is so unique is that we are called to love our enemies. We're called to be fair with them and compassionate toward them and to demonstrate love - even if they hate us. God's Word is clear: You can't claim to love God and not love your neighbor. Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan so we would be clear who our neighbor is and go and do likewise.
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6 Comments
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Yes, report it NevermindThanks! :)
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Yes, report it NevermindI have never seen my country more divided than it is today. There are so-called leaders that are trying to pit Americans against Americans. The envy, hate, lack of trust, and confrontation just makes me want to cry sometimes.
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Yes, report it NevermindLoving our neighbors is not always the easiest thing to do but it is the right thing to do.Why? Because Jesus command us to do so and that is what I will do. No, matter how much it hurt. its not about me, its about Jesus and me giving him all the honour and glory he derserves. Amen!
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Yes, report it NevermindHow does loving your enemy square with preventing your enemy from hurting you ro someone else?
Are we called to be pacifists? I don't think so (Peter was carrying a sword in Gethsemane, after all). But how do you reconcile those two?
For example: Joseph Kony is the head of the LRA in Uganda. His soldiers have indiscriminately maimed and killed thousands of people in the last 20 years. They do it for fun. Can you "love" Kony but still pray that someone gets lucky with an airstrike?
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Yes, report it NevermindWell: My Neighbor is my Former Father and Mother-In-Law...
You know sometimes we can be So Blind. Anyway; He gave me this Book wrote by his Boss today.
It is Entitled "Nearing Home"--not Nursing Home. My Mom fell several Months ago and at the Lowest Point of my Life I was there for her.
Now according to Her? I was not there at All. Well our Aging Parents are Still our Neighbors...Regardless of what they Say.
My Son Cussed me out this Week for being such a Sorry SOB...But I kept him here with me for Three Years.
He too is my Neighbor...
My Daughter who is Living from the Proceeds I put aside for her won't Return my Calls...
She is my Neighbor...
The Ex came over this week to Accuse me of "Showing your Checkbook" to my Son who just wanted to see me for a few minutes...
She is my Neighbor.
Heck: The next time Bryant Bombs a Sermon the Entire Congregation will show up Blaming it on me...Of couse I have never heard Him Bomb a Sermon so at Least I don't have to Dread That.
Sometimes I think there is only So Much to Give but I am reminded of Paul when he said:
"If I have not love..."
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Yes, report it NevermindGuys try to get a Copy of "Nearing Home" and read it.
Just listen to an Old Fool--Get it and Read It/G