God has commissioned Christians as His hands and feet to serve as His ambassadors-of-reconciliation to the world. While it’s often easier to simply “mind our own business” in this world – Jesus is mobilizing His people to love our neighbors in accordance with our love for God.
Observations & Conclusions:
- Your faith is proved alive or dead based upon your love
- Your love for God must concord with your love for your neighbor
- Your neighbor is the one you are least likely to serve
- Your Christ-like character requirement is impartial compassion
Application:
- Practice an action of self-less compassion in Jesus name
James 2:14-17
“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
1 John 4:19-20
“We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.”
Galatians 5:14
“For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Matthew 5:44-47
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?”
1 John 3:17-18
“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”