“…. won’t you be my neighbor?” - Mister Rogers
Jesus said:
Matthew 7.24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock…”
It is one thing to listen to Jesus and another thing to hear what he said the put it into practice. Lots of people listen; fewer people hear; and fewer still put what they hear into practice…
Jesus said:
Matthew 7.12 & 22.40 “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22.37-.40 “Love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself.”
Luke 10.29 “And who is my neighbor?”
So, the important lesson to learn is – who is my neighbor? Because, if we can get the answer right, understand who are neighbor is and how to treat him, it will helps us with our relationship with the LORD and with one another. It is important to know who your neighbor is and how you should treat him because the Lord has commanded us to Love your neighbor as you love yourself. It is not a recommendation, but a commandment.
SO:
WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?
Luke 10.25-.37
An expert skilled in the Law asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life?
Jesus asked him, “What is written in the Law?” “How do you read it?”
The expert answered, “Love the Lord your God with all you heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” “You have answered correctly.” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
But the expert wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
You know the story. He told him about a man that was beat up, robber and left half dead on the road-side. Three guys traveled by him and the third one, a Samaritan, went out of his way to help him. He had compassion and took pity on him and also went to personal expense to see that he was taken care of in his absence. Jesus then asked the expert which one of the three was the neighbor? Jesus used this as an example of how we should love/treat our neighbor. The man in need was never identified as a believer or non-believer.
A point to consider: If a Samaritan (generally considered a “Dog” or unbeliever) can be a good neighbor to a stranger, can’t we, as Believers, be good neighbors to other Believers? (That are perhaps… “not one of us.”) If this is how I am to treat my neighbor, how should I treat my brethren? Whether or not they are assembled with us or at another location? Should I treat them with any less respect, care, concern or compassion? Woe to me if I should discount them or devalue them by taking away from their reputation or good name. How do I appear to the LORD if I should engage in a lessening or a cheapening of their reputation? (Part of the definition of “envy” by Webster)
Ephesians 4.3-.6 "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of us all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
AGAIN:
Matthew 7.12 & 22.40 “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22.37-.40 “Love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself.”
Matthew 5.17 “…. Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
V .18 and I paraphrase: “Every detail is important!” You don’t pick and choose from the Word of God. Christian living is not … ale-cart or `a la carte.
FOR:
Matthew 5.19 “Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands well be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
EXAMPLE:
Matthew 15.1-3 & Mark 7.5 “Why do your disciples (those that are part of your group and not one of us) break the tradition of the elders” Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? Religious people can always find fault with others that do not hold to their traditions.
Application:
We need to make sure we don’t start accepting and practicing traditions substituting them for the commands of God. Do not exchange traditions for commandments. We need to stick with the commands and reject the traditions; especially, if they are contrary to the commands of God.
Matthew 7.12 & 22.40 “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22.37-.40 “Love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself.”
