Lately in times of disaster we often see people rushing to their social media accounts and posting prayers for _______. I guess the question we really need to ask is what else are you doing about it? Prayers are important, but what are you practically doing about the situation? If you are willing to take the time to post about it you should have time to do something about it. It could be a simple as sending money. You may have a particular skill that could help in rebuilding or disaster relief. In your prayers are you asking God what you can do to help this need?
“One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” The man answered, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’” “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?”
Luke 10:25-29 NLT
“If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.”
1 John 3:17-18 NLT
We are called by God to be a people who truly love our neighbours. If you were to pick up your bible and open to Luke 10 and continue to read you will see Jesus response to the question he was asked ” who is my neighbour?” Jesus didn’t spout off a list of qualities that quantify who your neighbour is, he told him that helping those in need defines who your neighbour is.
Well I come to tell you this, everyone we know has a need. Either being the need of the basics of life or spiritual needs, they all need something. 1 John is quite clear that we need to showcase the truth that lives in us by our actions. If we say we have the love of Jesus in our hearts but act selfishly then who will want what we have.
People respond to acts of generosity, look at the way the country is pulled together to help the people of Fort Mac Alberta, or more recently Florida, Houston. Christians should be at the front lines ready willing and able to assist in anyway possible. I have to assume that we are, one way or another. Just look at what Franklin Graham and Sarmatians Purse are doing, reports say they are doing more then FEMA. Love and generosity is contagious.
It comes down to this very question, why should we love our neighbor? I know when you read the answer you will say Kurt why are you pushing this again, but we need to change our mindset of how we live our daily lives.
If they matter to God, then they should matter to us!
Let’s live our lives like the people around us matter, let’s love them enough to share Jesus with them. Let’s see them as Jesus sees them, lost hurting and in need of a saviour. If not they are going to hell. There is no other way to heaven, we have the truth, and it isn’t meant to be bottled up or hidden, share it. Lets impact our world.
Jesus, let us be awesome neighbours, caring for those around us, loving them enough to tell them that they need a saviour. If that comes from helping them in their time of need, then push us to be there for them. If it is through times of mourning, then let us be a pillar of strength they can lean on. If it is through the daily walk of life, then let them see you in us and give us the words to share your saving grace with them. They matter to us because they matter to you. Guide us even today to share Jesus with our neighbours, Holy Spirit push us out of our comfort zone and let’s get to work. Amen
