Mature Judgment
Love Your Neighbor – Part 1

Scripture Reading: James 2:8-13

Key Verse: James 2:8

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.

James calls for Christ followers to daily operate their lives with the “royal law,” which is “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  What is the opposite of this, according to James?  Showing favoritism!  (James 2:9).  As we sincerely do our best to love our neighbors, we must remember our Lord’s definition of “our neighbor.”  Jesus explained this phrase with a parable.  A man was traveling when suddenly he was jumped by robbers and beaten to near death.  As this poor man lay on the side of the road, a priest and, later, a Levite walked by him.  Jesus said they saw him and passed by him on the other side of the road.  Finally, a Samaritan came along and when he saw him he took pity on him.  He did all he could to heal his wounds and then took him to an inn.  This Samaritan paid for his stay and promised to stop back to check up on him.  Jesus turned to the crowd, after telling that story, and asked a pointed question: “Which of these three was a neighbor to the man?”  Then Jesus said, “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:30-37).

Do you love your neighbor as yourself?  All of us would want someone to help us when we are hurting or struggling in our lives.  Jesus tells us to pass this desire on to the people around us.  In Jesus’ story, the priest and Levite didn’t feel this poor man deserved their time.  They were allowing their lives to operate with favoritism—only helping those whom they deemed worthy.  (Continued)

Father, forgive me for not taking the time to offer help to needs that I see!  In Jesus’ name, amen.