Those words are like music to our ears in certain circumstances of life. Recently, while visiting the USA Sharon found herself on a busy expressway in a heavy snow storm. Suddenly the car she was driving had a flat tire. She pulled over to the side and eventually found the spare tire located under the back of the car. After some effort she got the tire down and found the jack to raise the car. Just then an Ohio State Patrol car pulled up and a uniformed officer got out and offered to change the tire for her.
Sadly, we often are shown TV news clips of great personal tragedies such as accidents and death of individuals with unconcerned citizens passing by dead bodies without even a side glance. No nation is exempt from these disturbing images of neglect and callousness. This would seem to indicate there is little concern for others in the world today. God addressed this problem in the Bible.
There are over 100 Old Testament references to neighbor and 21 in the New Testament. The Jews were told how to relate to those who lived nearby. Instructions included treatment of the neighbor’s wife, servant, oxen, crops and almost every aspect of daily living. Do not covet, do not steal, do not lie, do not break promises, do not curse, do not hate, and the list goes on and on. God gave specific instructions on what was “to be done” and what was “not to be done” in respect to ones neighbor. In fact, much of Western Law is based on the principles of the Mosaic Law.
In this blog I would like to refer to the positive Biblical commands regarding how we relate to our neighbors. Here are a few scripture references.
Romans 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. KJV
Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. KJV
1 Peter 3:8 And now this word to all of you: You should be like one big happy family, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds. 9 Don't repay evil for evil. Don't snap back at those who say unkind things about you. Instead, pray for God's help for them, for we are to be kind to others, and God will bless us for it. TLB
Matt 5:41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. 43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, NIV
Luke 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. KJV
Luke 10:29-37 Who is my neighbor? Story of the Good Samaritan.
1 John 4:7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. NIV
John 15:12 I demand that you love each other as much as I love you. 13 And here is how to measure it-the greatest love is shown when a person lays down his life for his friends; TLB
Quite some time ago I heard a song and an expression that would seem to fit in this blog. I was surprised to learn this song initially was not a “Christian” song. The lyrics are given here and carry a lot of meaning. In researching the background I learned that one man was suffering from a serious illness and his friend wrote this song about their relationship.
He Ain’t Heavy
Sidney Russell and Robert Scott
The road is long
With many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where
Who knows where
But I’m strong
Strong enough to carry him
He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother
So on we go
His welfare is my concern
No burden is he to bear
We’ll get there
For I know He would not encumber me
He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother
Bridge:
If I’m laden at all
I’m laden with sadness
That everyone’s heart
Isn’t filled with gladness
And love for one another
It’s a long, long road
From which there is not return
While we’re on the way to there
Why not share
And the load doesn’t weigh me down at all
He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother
He’s my brother
He ain’t heavy, He’s my brother.
Conclusion
Probably each one of us have been in a difficult situation at some point in life and had the blessing of someone to approach and offer a helping hand. I have been at that point numerous times through the years. At times this assistance and kindness came from those I would have never expected to step up and help out. I personally owe a debt to God, family, friends and church that can never be repaid. Matt 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. KJV
This is just a gentle reminder of the Goodness of God. Quite often His Grace is manifested through human agency. We have received a helping hand from others and we need to be on the alert to the needs of those around us to do the same. The load we may need to bear for others can take many forms. It could be patience as they go through rebellious and hard times of youth. It could be a brother struggling financially. It might be family or church friends who are going through a bumpy time in their marriage and need someone to show them love and concern. A widow may seem fine on the outside, but be dealing with horrible loneliness and fear. It could be an elderly couple facing illness and impending death.
We cannot save the world. Jesus died for the salvation of the world. But we can help one. We can share the heavy load of one God puts in our path. Each night before going to bed I quietly step into the office. Then while looking at a map of Japan I plead the Blood of Jesus over the nation of Japan and the Japanese who God “has placed in our lives”. We can’t reach the whole nation, but we can continue striving to “Reach One Among Millions”!
God bless you as you help your neighbor!
Dan Corbett
“Reaching One Among Millions”
P.S.
Matt 25:34 "Then I, the King, shall say to those at my right, 'Come, blessed of my Father, into the Kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you fed me; I was thirsty and you gave me water; I was a stranger and you invited me into your homes; 36 naked and you clothed me; sick and in prison, and you visited me.' 37 "Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Sir, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you anything to drink? 38 Or a stranger, and help you? Or naked, and clothe you? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?' 40 "And I, the King, will tell them, 'When you did it to these my brothers you were doing it to me!' TLB
No comments:
Post a Comment