“How About Those Neighbors”

by Dewey Fox

“God loves us not because we are lovable, but because He is love. “ - C. S. Lewis

~Your Neighbor~

Sometimes,these neighbors of ours are hard to love. We have probably all had trouble with them at one time or another. When we do have trouble or a misunderstanding with them how do we handle the situation? What does the Bible say about our neighbors?

For ye, brethren, were called for freedom; only use not your freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through love be servants one to another. (Galatians 5:13 RV)

For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (Galatians 5:14 RV)

~Who is our Neighbor~

Jesus answers the question of “Who is our Neighbor,” in Luke, Chapter Ten. Let us see what he has to say. We pick up the story of Jesus explaining “who is our neighbor” as the lawyer continued to put Jesus to the test. See Luke 10:25.

But he, desiring to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor? (Luke 10:29 ASV)

Jesus made answer and said, A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho; and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. (Luke 10:30 ASV)

And by chance a certain priest was going down that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. (Luke 10:31 ASV)

And in like manner a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side. (Luke 10:32 ASV)

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion, (Luke 10:33 ASV)

and came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on them oil and wine; and he set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. (Luke 10:34 ASV)

And on the morrow he took out two shillings, and gave them to the host, and said, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, I, when I come back again, will repay thee. (Luke 10:35 ASV)

Which of these three, thinkest thou, proved neighbor unto him that fell among the robbers? (Luke 10:36 ASV)

And he said, He that showed mercy on him. And Jesus said unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. (Luke 10:37 ASV)

“Sometimes our enemies are our neighbors.” G. K. Chesterton wrote in Leadership, vol. 9, no. 2; “The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies: probably because they are generally the same people.” Yes, sometimes your neighbors are your enemies. The first thing we do when someone has wronged us is to think bad or harsh of them. That is the devil’s way of thinking, not God’s. It hard, and I know it is hard to love someone that has wronged us, but we have all had someone do something shameful to us. But life is short and life goes on. As the saying goes, “It won’t make a difference in 100 years from now.” So why make your life miserable. “Love your enemies and be set free from all your hatred and sin.” Next time your neighbor wrongs you, try the love response.

Do not waste time bothering whether you ‘love” your neighbor; act as if you did. As soon as we do this we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him. - C. S. Lewis

“ Love that unlovable neighbor.”

If you can look at your neighbor (broad definition) as someone you can help in the context of bringing him or her to Christ. It will take an entirely different precept of thinking about your neighbor. Maybe they just had a bad day and you are the person that can help. Just a point for thought.

In our neighbors we should observe only what is good. - Saint Jeanne de Chanta

Brother Dewey Fox