Faith Family,

And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself,”  (Luke 10:27).

Such were the words exchanged between a lawyer and Jesus in the context of a discussion about eternal life.  The lawyer desired to limit the number of those who qualified as his neighbors, or at least understand who met the requirements to qualify as his neighbor.

What I want to highlight is the masterful way in which Jesus responded to this lawyer.  Read Luke 10:25-37.  Instead of defining neighbor as someone “out there” in our lives, Jesus redirected and asked who acted like a neighbor?  It’s convicting, in a good way.  Are we loving our neighbors by acting like a neighbor?

We have an unprecedented opportunity to love our neighbors by acting like neighbors.  Consider the opportunities around you.  Who needs an encouraging word, (email, mail, phone call)?  Who might benefit from a meal delivered?  Who’s yard could you mow?  For whom, next door or across the street, are you praying?

The people that God places in our paths today may be fearful, anxious, and even asking questions that they’ve never asked before.  What a tremendous opportunity to be the gospel and to share the gospel with our neighbors.

In His love,
Pastor Karl