Loving Your Neighbors - Beloved Women - November 12, 2018
READ
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”- Luke 10:29 NIV
TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT
I sometimes find myself playing this same game with Jesus. I ask a question to try to justify myself or my actions. Like the law expert in Jesus' time, I want to know who my neighbor is so I can understand who I don't have to like. Do I have to love everyone?
Jesus uses the parable of the Good Samaritan to answer this question in the Bible. But for us today, who is our neighbor? The world shows us how to love our friends and those who are like us. But, God calls us to love everyone. We are called to love our enemies, to love those who are different than us, and even love those who appear unlovable.
Our neighbors include those with diverse lifestyles or different political beliefs. We must love those from various religious backgrounds as well as those from all social statuses. The list also consists of those from every age group and every heritage. Our neighbors are everyone on earth, and we are called to love them all.
PRAY
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for showing us our neighbors through the story of the Good Samaritan. Thank you for reminding us to love all of our neighbors, even those who are different from us. Please help me to love all those you place in my path. In Jesus' name. Amen.
REFLECT
How can we reach out in love to those who are very different from ourselves?
CONNECT
Find more encouragement from Yvonne Morgan here.
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