Handling relationships God’s way (3)
We have hitherto seen that in the resurrection, we have a relationship. The Gospel is actually about relationships. Jesus Christ, while on earth, showed and taught what it means to love one’s neighbour.
Read Lk. 10:25-37;
‘Neighbour’ there is the Greek word ‘plesion’ which means to come near. In the real sense, a neighbour is one who comes near and shows mercy. This is exactly what God did in the resurrection. So, anyone with whom you are in a position to show mercy is your neighbour.
See what Jesus said in Matt: 22:34-40;
34 But when the Pharisees had heard that He had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.
35 Then one of them, who was a lawyer, asked Him a question, tempting Him and saying,
36 “Master, which is the great commandment in the law?”
37 Jesus said unto him, “‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.’
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it: ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.’
40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
He says, you love the Lord and you love your neighbour. By saying love your neighbour as yourself, Jesus means you do unto neighbour what you do unto yourself. Jesus’ parable of the good Samaritan shows what it means to be a loving neighbour.
Apostle Paul also uses Christ as an example of a good neighbour;
Rom. 15:1-3;
1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2 Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification.
3 For even Christ pleased not Himself, but as it is written: “The reproaches of them that reproached Thee fell on Me.”
Just like Christ bore our infirmities, we ought to now also bear the infirmities of the weak. There’s nothing in Christianity that makes you think of yourself alone. Loving your neighbour means not gossiping about them – there’s no man who talks too much that’s walking in the spirit – learn to control your tongue.
Loving your neighbour means you don’t treat people based on what they have in the natural. You ought to go near with compassion. It also means not bearing grudges. Vengeance is not by the spirit of God.
Rom. 12:!7;
17 Recompense no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men
You don’t repay evil for evil. Rather, you repay evil with good. This was what Jesus did – the very men he came to die for rejected him, yet he went to the cross for them. This is a proper example of what it looks like to love.
1Thess. 5:15;
15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man, but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves and with all men.
1Pet. 3:8-9;
8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one for another. Love each other as brethren, be sympathetic, be courteous,
9 not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing, but contrariwise blessing, knowing that ye are called thereto, that ye might inherit a blessing.
The bible is quite clear on how the believer ought to love. The world should not influence the way we love. Oftentimes, Christians are influenced by the world’s show of love and seek to pattern theirs after it. But Paul says no, renew your mind. God’s word shows us the perfect example of love. We see it in the life of Christ – the things he taught, did and in his sacrifice.
Love gives people second chances. Again, you don’t treat people based on how they have treated you in the past, you treat them with love.
This week and beyond, choose to be more focused on your love-walk. Be quick to forgive. Let there be no one earth you hold in your heart. Do unto men what you’d do unto yourself. Love all men because that’s what the Lord would have you do.
Daily Bible Reading Plan:
Deut. 29 – 31
TEACHING OF THE DAY
There is nothing wrong with you