Love Your Neighbor

The maxim of the “golden rule” is exemplified in many Christian stories, such as the Parable of the Good Samaritan, which are unadorned replications of the Jewish Torah: “Love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 19:18).

THE BIBLE STORY OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN:

Luke 10:30-37 – 30 The Good Samaritan Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. 31 “And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 “Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 “But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, 34 and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 “On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” 37 And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him. “Then Jesus said to him,” Go and do the same.” NASU

COMMENTARY

Luke 10:30–37. A certain man. A Jew of Jerusalem. Went down. It was a constant descent from Jerusalem to Jericho, over 3,000 feet in eighteen miles. Fell among robbers. The road is a dark, desolate, mountain pass, dangerous then, so beset by robbers still that no traveler dares go through it without a guard. Which stripped him. Not only of raiment, but of all he had; then left him, stunned, bleeding, unconscious, nearly dead. A certain priest. Jericho was a city of priests. A priest ought to be a holy man. The law commanded mercy and help to a neighbor (Exod. 23:4-5; Deut 22:1-4). The priest and Levite both disregarded the law in passing the poor sufferer. Likewise a Levite. A temple minister. He probably excused himself by the example of his priest. A certain Samaritan. The hereditary enemy of the Jews; despised and hated by the latter. “The Jews and Samaritans have no dealings” (John 4:9). If any man had excuse for passing the wounded Jew by it was the Samaritan. But he, unlike the priest and Levite, had compassion. His compassion leads to action, to self-denial, and inconvenience. He dresses the man’s wounds, sets him on his own beast, carries him to the inn, and when he left, left money for his care. For ancient inns, see note on Luke 2:7. Two pence was two days’ wages, and there was promise of more. Which of these three … proved neighbor? The stranger became the neighbor. So we are to be neighbors to all who need help. Christian love must know no narrow bounds of race or sect. Genuine philanthropy is a Christian spirit. People’s New Testament, The

Consider this:

There is no greater demonstration of the religion of Christ than to be considerate, kind, and benevolent, toward all people who are in distress of whatever kind. The story of the good Samaritan is further demonstrated in the Bible by the writers of the New Testament in several places; note the following …

Galatians 6:10 – So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. NASB

Galatians 6:10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.  NASB

James 1:27 – This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. NASB Matthew 19:19 – Honor thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. KJV

Mark 12:30-31 – 30 And thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. James 2:8-9 – 8 If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well: 9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE OTHERS DO UNTO YOU;

THIS IS A GOOD QUALITY FOR ALL CHRISTIANS TO DEVELOP IN LIFE.

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More Righteous Drunk

The Drunk Who Was More Righteous than One Sober

In Second Samuel 11, King David was on the rooftop of his palace one evening while the army was at war with the Ammonites. He saw a beautiful woman named Bathsheba as she was bathing. Lusting after her, he brought her into his bedroom and committed adultery with her. In an effort to cover up his sin after learning that she was carrying his child, he brings home her husband—a righteous man named Uriah—and encourages him to go home to his wife. Nevertheless, he sleeps on the steps of the king’s house out of respect for his fellow soldiers. Two evenings later, David invites Uriah to a feast and actually gets Uriah drunk (11:13), but he still did not go down to his house. What a thought—Uriah was more righteous drunk than David was sober! Let us learn a few lessons from this familiar story.

First, note the danger of lust. This sin goes back to the Garden of Eden (cf. Gen. 3:6), because it implies evil desire. Other synonyms include “covet” or “covetousness” (cf. Ex. 20:17). Jesus warns, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, ‘Thou shalt not commit adultery’: But I say unto you, ‘That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart’” (Matt. 5:27-28). Paul warned the young preacher named Timothy, “Flee also youthful lusts” (2 Tim. 2:22; cf. 1 Pet. 2:11). We are to model the righteousness of the grace of God after Titus 2:12: “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.” Lust is a basic component of all sin (James 1:14-15; cf. 1 John 2:16-17). Many a man and woman have fallen to the snare of lust.

Second, note the seriousness of sin. We can see how serious sin is by examining the extent David went to commit and consequently, to cover up his sin. In the first place, he enquired about this woman after viewing her, instead of extinguishing any evil thoughts (11:3). The reference in the next verse to her purification from uncleanness implies that he thought and planned this out and waited until the time that he could sleep with her (11:4). Then, in an effort to conceal his sin, he brings Uriah home from the battle with a gift of food for him and his wife (11:8). When this did not work, he tried to get Uriah drunk two evenings later (11:12-13). When this did not work, he gave orders to his captain, Joab, to put Uriah at the front of the battle lines and pull back so he would die (11:14-17). When we see the extent David went to cover up his sin, this shows how serious a matter it is!

Third, note the beauty of forgiveness. Upon realizing the ugliness of his sin (2 Sam. 12), we see him write a beautiful confession (Ps. 51). Consider a portion:

For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar. (51:16-17, 19)

Thus, forgiveness is always dependant upon penitence and confession.

Can we not imagine what reaction David must have had when he saw Uriah in heaven? I can only imagine the conversation that must have taken place. At one point in their lives, a drunken Uriah was more righteous than sober David was! May we profit from these lessons, knowing that “…whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Rom. 15:4).

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Designer Labels

Designer Labels

Coworkers and friends may be good at it, but no one surpasses the skills of our own children. No one can see right through us better than those who live under the same roof. Those with whom we share our homes can instantly discern the truth, even if the truth does not match the words coming out of our mouths. Our children can see what is really important in our lives, and they know our real priorities—good or bad. Today’s young generation is intensely aware of the fact that we are suffering a nationwide epidemic of Christian apathy.

One wonders what the children of “the priest” who passed by the wounded and robbed man really thought about their father. Was he apathetic as well? Would he tell them about passing by the man, or did the day’s event even pierce his heart? Likewise, one wonders if the title “Levite” really impressed the children of that particular man. How long did it take the Levite’s children to realize that being born to a particular family line did not necessarily mean one was good at heart? Both men wore the “label” of religious men, but it was obvious they were not living the life. Jesus related the story about these two men as He was trying to teach a certain lawyer who the lawyer’s neighbor was (Luke 10:25-37). Sadly, however, both the priest and Levite viewed their religious titles as nouns instead of verbs. They were titles the men wore, rather than lives they lived. Both of these individuals saw the wounded man on the side of the road, but both passed him by. And if either of these men had children, one can safely assume their offspring would have been acutely aware that their fathers’ lives did not reflect true religious virtues. The priest and the Levite were only religious in the labels that they wore.

The third person was from Samaria. He was a stranger in this land between Jerusalem and Jericho. It was no secret during this time that there was mutual antipathy between Jews and Samaritans. But this man reached out to the stranger on the road who had been wounded by thieves. Not only did he stop to care for the injured man, but he also took it upon himself to make sure this Jew was cared for at a local inn. The Samaritan may have been an unlikely person to give of his time, energy, and financial means, but I suspect the Samaritan’s children would not have been that surprised. Their father walked the walk, he didn’t just talk the talk. His life reflected his righteousness.

When our children and grandchildren look into our heart of hearts, what do they see? Do they see people desiring to remain faithful until death, or do they see individuals just wanting to “do the minimum”? How many Christians living today wear the name “Christian” simply as a label, meaning it describes “who” they are, rather than “Whose” they are? The sad truth is for many, the word “Christian” is a noun, not a verb. The church building becomes viewed as a social club rather than a building to worship and praise God. For these, the word Christian has become just another bullet point on their resume, rather than a life-changing lifestyle. But our children see it.

  • Our children watch as we binge on a diet of worldliness during the week, only to dress in nice clothes and proclaim the name of Christian on Sunday.
  • Our children watch as we spend enormous amounts of money on designer labels, new cars, and high-end electronics, only to see us grudgingly toss in a few bucks in the collection plate Sunday morning.
  • Our children watch as we go from the soccer game, to the swim meet, to the mall, to the golf course, only to hear us say we don’t have time to help with church activities.
  • Our children watch as we wrinkle our noses at the thought of helping benevolent cases, only to see us invite church leaders into our home and discuss the good works of the church.

If we are really going to cure the nationwide disease of apathy in the church, one of the first things we must do is recognize the word Christian is a “verb”—a life we live. We must cultivate the love for Christ in our heart to the point that we would never even consider not living for Him. We must nurture and strengthen our love for Him so that our own zeal and actions daily demonstrate our Christianity. After all, it’s not simply a label we wear.

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Attention: If You Are A Leper

Attention: If You Are A Leper

“…a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean’” (Matt. 8:2).

This man who came to Jesus had a physical infirmity that would eventually cost him his life.  His only hope to live was for Jesus to take away His leprosy. “Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I am willing; be cleansed’… immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed” (Mk. 1:41-42).

Spiritually speaking, sin is the equivalent to leprosy. Every sinner, therefore, is a leper who needs the healing touch of Jesus in order to live.  Would you like to know how? “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” (Acts 2:38). “…Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins…” (22:16).

Therefore, “lepers,” bring your sins to Jesus; for through baptism He is in effect saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.”

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Christian Hope

Christ’s Second Coming and Christian Hope

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope” (1 Thess.4:13).

Hope is a powerful ally in the Christian walk.  There is nothing as seemingly uncertain as the future, yet there are few things that motivate us more.  Christianity is a religion of hope.   Christians hope for the betterment of humanity within the world.  This motivates us to preach the gospel to the lost in the hopes that they will repent by changing their lives for the better.  There is no shortage of lost souls needing change.  This, however, is not the extent of the Christian message.  For our Lord says, “But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life” (Mark 10:30).  The future is important to Christians.

Many eastern worldviews (Buddhism, Hinduism, etc.), as well as the contemporary self-help philosophies of the “new age” would have individuals abandon the future and focus on the present.  Living in the moment, we are told, will remove all desires regarding the future, lower individual expectations, align the planets, and usher in an era of peace and harmony – the Age of Aquarius.  The folly of such thinking is revealed in the fact that the Age of Aquarius has not arrived despite great efforts to the contrary.  The so called advice of “living in the moment” and the hope of a “new age” yet to be ushered in, are two objectives wholly at odds.  Ought humanity’s efforts to be invested in the future new age?  If so, then living in the moment is not the end-all solution it is touted as being.  This is fantasy, not hope.

Atheism also offers no real hope for humanity.  Those who have adopted the naturalist worldview believe that one day the sun will expand and burn up the earth so as to make it uninhabitable.  Should mankind venture into space and survive the earth’s demise, nevertheless, all stars will eventually go out.  Then, the only source of heat remaining will be black holes.  However, after a very long time, these too will expire.  Ultimately, all things will break down into microscopic particles, and the heat death of the universe will occur.  Humanity will be no more, extinct along with everything else.  Humanity will not even be a memory as there will be no one left to remember.  There is no hope here.

Within those who profess Christianity, there are those who pervert the biblical message of hope.  Scores of individuals have claimed that they know the exact date of Christ’s return.  The most recent of these claims was that Christ would return on May 21st, 2011.  What is sad is that faith in the biblical message is undermined when such false claims are made.  Long has the scripture declared that the hour of Christ’s return would be known to no man (Matthew 24:36, 24:50, Mark 13:32, Luke 12:46).  Many other scriptures make it plain that Jesus will return “as a thief,” that is, unexpectedly (1 Thess.5:2, 4, 2 Peter 3:10, Revelation 3:3, 16:15).  Those who set forth a specific date for Christ’s return are setting forth a false hope, which is no hope at all.

Another false hope is that the physical world will be transformed, renewed, and populated with the saved.  Peter declares clearly that the earth and everything within it will be burned up (2 Peter 3:10-12).  The promise of a new heaven and new earth is consistent with that for which the patriarchs sought.  “But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city” (Hebrews 11:16).  This is the house not made with hands, eternal, and in the heavens (2 Corinthians 5:1-2).  It is that place Jesus has gone to prepare for the faithful, which place is in the Father’s house (John 14:1-3).  We should not set our hope upon the physical earth as the future abode of the righteous, but upon the eternal kingdom of God, which cannot be inherited by flesh and blood; corruption cannot inherit incorruption (1 Corinthians 15:50).  The physical earth as the eternal dwelling place of the saints is a false hope.

Just as there is only one Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, there is only one hope (Ephesians 4:4).  This is the hope of Christ’s return when he will bring with him the saints and resurrect all from the dead (1 Thess.4:14-16, John 5:28-29).  He will judged and separate the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25:31-33).  The saved will enter heaven to be with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for eternity (Matthew 25:34).  The wicked will enter hell to dwell with Satan and his angels forever (Matthew 25:41).  This is the true and only message of hope: eternal life for the righteous and eternal punishment for the wicked.  Only this message of the future motivates to pure and godly living in the present (1 John 3:3, 2 Peter 3:11, 14).  May we united upon this message and not be deceived by the false proclamations of others; herein is mankind’s only true hope.

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