What Jesus calls "the greatest commandment" sometimes seems like two commands (love God; love neighbor), but it is really two sides of the same coin. If you love God, there will quite naturally be action that is taken. You will - almost automatically - love your neighbor. Inaction or declaring yourself unaffiliated or just standing by with a smile on your face isn’t an option. Being a good neighbor means you are pro-active. You do something. There is action involved.
Blaine Butcher taught this week and gave a few quotes about how loneliness is an epidemic in the Western world. It affects 47% of all adults. Former U.S. Surgeon General Murthy says: “The world is suffering from an epidemic of loneliness. If we cannot rebuild strong, authentic social connections, we will continue to splinter apart - in the workplace and in society.” I anticipate most of us would agree our society seems splintered. Have you ever considered loneliness to be a possible core reason for such splintering? Have you ever stopped to consider the role you might play in this? What do you consider “authentic social connections?”
INVITATION; This week we take a look at some tough scriptures regarding being inactive and standing on the sidelines regarding your "neighbor.” Scripture seems to have quite a lot to say about the action of inaction. Are you willing to hear it and apply it in your life? Are you being passive rather than active regarding your neighbors?
MONDAY: Mark 12:28-32 & Leviticus 19:18: This “rule of life” comes from both the Old Testament and the New Testament. It is the core of the call to obedience in the Christian life. What does the command “love your neighbor as yourself” mean to you? Within your understanding of God’s free gift of grace, what might it require of you?
TUESDAY: Matthew 12:30: What does this verse say to you about being neutral, or basically unaffiliated, regarding life with God?
WEDNESDAY: James 4:17 & I John 3:17. Many people think they know something when in reality they only know ABOUT it. They are limited by secondhand knowledge - a poor substitute for the real thing! We know the love of Jesus Christ because he laid down his life for us. And John reminds us that the best way to experience that love is to express it. How might you demonstrate that love to God? How might you demonstrate love to those who are closest to you, to your friends or associates at work, school, church, to those in need, or maybe to a person you don’t even particularly like? Perhaps you might consider creating a symbol or reminder to encourage you to make love visible to others around you - - your “neighbors.” Carry it with you or place it on your mirror or in another prominent spot as you go about your day and week.
THURSDAY: Matthew 25:26-27: The man with one talent did not overtly mis-use it. He just didn’t do anything with it. The action of inaction. God expects action from those who love Him and want to live out the Christian life according to scripture. Think about the common theme of living life by “not doing anyone else harm.” Do you think that lines up with the scriptures in this week’s Ten Minutes With God?
FRIDAY: Matthew 25:31-46: How can you “love your neighbor as yourself” this week WITH ACTION? Little things can make a big difference in God’s economy. We serve the God of the loaves and the fishes (John 6) - He will multiply our small actions. Who has God put in your life? Consider asking God what HE would have you do to love these people.