DAY 12| JAN. 12, 2019| DO YOU LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR?

Text: Luke 10:33-37. | Mathew 25:31-46. | Romans 13:8-11.

The bible says “Love your neighbour.” To love your neighbour is to show your neighbour kindness. 

>Luke 10:30,33-35(NIV)==> “In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.

33)But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34)He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35)The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’” 

This story spells clearly who your neighbour is. Your neighbour is not restricted to the person who lives close by you (even though it’s inclusive of); but your neighbour is that person around you who needs  help, and to whom you can help with your resource/substance. It’s a pity, a Priest and Levite bypassed this injured man in need [though they walked around where he laid], they refused to see him as the neighbour God had instructed they love. But a Samaritan saw through the eyes of God, and identified who a neighbour is, and won’t just allow this man languish. He went out of his way to ensure the man was cared for. 

>Proverbs 3:27-28 (NIV)==> 27)“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. 28)Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”— when you already have it with you.”

Withhold no good from the one who needs it or from the one to whom it is due. 

Don’t postpone your love to your neighbour when love has already been shed abroad in your heart by the Holy Spirit. >Leviticus 19:13 NIV)==>““ ‘Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. “ ‘Do not hold back the wages of a hired worker overnight.”

From this scripture, even your worker (staff) is your neighbour. Do not defraud your neighbour. Love them by paying their wages as, and when due. 

>Romans 13:8 (AMP)==>“Owe nothing to anyone except to love and seek the best for one another; for he who [unselfishly] loves his neighbor has fulfilled the [essence of the] law [relating to one’s fellowman].”

The one debt heaven permits you [which by implication simply means what you can’t ever stop or fully pay off] is the love you are commanded to express to your neighbour. The neighbour you love, you will never seek their hurt or harm. You can’t even be indifferent to their concerns. You can’t stand aloof, you must be involved in your neighbour’s life ensuring all is well with your neighbour as much as it is well with you. 

>Proverbs 3:29(NIV)==>“Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you.”

>Romans 13:10 (AMP)==>“Love does no wrong to a neighbor [it never hurts anyone]. Therefore [unselfish] love is the fulfillment of the Law.”

God is strong on this instruction… He truly means business when He instructed “Love your neighbor as yourself”. God has made us our brother’s keeper. He means it so much so He regards it more than our fasting (abstinence from food). 

>Isaiah 58:6-7&10 NKJV)==>6)“ Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?”7)Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? 10)If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday.” 

To God, these are expressions of love to your neighbour. You must be concerned and involved in people’s lives [especially those who are in dire need]. God regards your response in this regards as an indication and your show of love to Him as your God. Loving your neighbour is loving your God. God commanded that you love Him 

> Mark 12:30 (NIRV)==>Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love Him with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 

To love your God is to love the creation of His Hand…>Matthew 25:34-36 (NKJV)==> 34)“Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35)for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36)I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’”

Jesus said >“‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’”[Matthew 25:40 NKJV].

As you reach out, caring for and being concerned about your neighbour, scripture says you are doing well. 

>“If, however, you are [really] fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF [that is, if you have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit]” you are doing well.” [JAMES 2:8 AMP].

Prayer Action:

-Give thanks to the Lord God Almighty.

-Speak in the holy language for 15 minutes. 

-Ask grace of the Lord to be the ‘Good Samaritan’ by lifestyle, [making this a way of life, to be concerned and involved in your neighbour’s life]

-Pray that on the last day, may your space be on the right side of God and not left.