For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10
We all know that there is a difference between knowing the right thing and doing the right thing. For example, we all know that eating healthy and nutritious food is best for our overall health, but that knowledge is just knowledge until we actually eat those healthy foods that we know our bodies need. This concept is also true when it comes to Scripture's call for Christ's followers to love our neighbors. If we want to honor God by the way we live our lives, we have to put His teaching into action and truly love those around us.
Earlier this week, we read about a story Jesus told in Luke 10. This story was told in response to a question that a religious leader asked Jesus. The religious leader asked Jesus what he needed to do to have eternal life (verse 25). In response to this question, Jesus asked him what Scripture says (verse 26). The man acknowledged that Scripture teaches that we must love God and love our neighbors (verse 27). After Jesus acknowledged that this man was correct, the man asked an interesting question because he wanted to "justify his actions" (verse 29). The question was, "And who is my neighbor?" (verse 29). Next, Jesus answered his question with a story. The story that followed was about a Jewish man who was beaten up and left for dead on the side of the road (verse 30). A priest, a temple assistant, and a Samaritan passed by him, but only the Samaritan helped this dying man and saved his life (verses 31-35).
After telling the story in Luke 10, Jesus asked the religious leader, "Which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits" (verse 36). The religious leader answered, "the one who showed him mercy" (verse 37). With that response, Jesus ended His interaction with this religious leader with a simple yet poignant command, "Now go and do the same" (verse 37). Jesus' command communicated to this religious leader that his focus was in the wrong place. He was so focused on who his neighbor was, but instead, his call was to be a neighbor to the people around him, whether Jew or Samaritan. You see, it wasn't enough to know the right thing to do. This religious leader had to do the right thing and love his neighbor in order to honor God by his actions.
James taught about the importance of not just knowing the right thing to do but actually doing the right thing in the book of James. He wrote in James chapter 1, “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says” (verse 22). Indeed, it's not enough to just know what God calls us to do; we have to actually do it if we want to live lives that honor God.
All week, we have talked about the importance of loving our neighbor. We know God’s call for His people to demonstrate love for everyone around us. This knowledge will only take us so far, however. If we want to obey, we have to actually put this command to love our neighbors into action and love our neighbors. How can you honor God and love your neighbor today?
Moving Toward Action
Think of one way today you can love your neighbor. Maybe you can bring dinner to a neighbor who's going through a difficult time, pray for your neighbor out loud, or send them an encouraging text. Whatever it looks like for you, take steps today to put Scripture's command into action and love your neighbor well.
Going Deeper – James 1:19-27
19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20 Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. 21 So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.
22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
26 If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. 27 Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
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