OUR DUTY TOWARDS OUR NEIGHBOR

And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:39 NKJV) Read Leviticus 19:9-18.

Our neighbor is the next person who needs our help, man, woman, or child. It is enough that your help is needed, and that you are near! As we read this paragraph from the old Jewish law we see who our neighbors are, and what we are to do for them.

We must give them a chance to live (Matthew 22:9-10). We have no right to waste anything that may be of service to others, or to use for ourselves all our possessions. There must always be a margin left which we can give to those who are in need. It would be a wonderful thing if each reader of these words would set apart a certain proportion of their time and spiritual gifts, as well as money, for the cause of Christ and His poor.

We must not withhold payments which are due (Matthew 22:13). How many business men and others have been ruined by the long delays of customers in settling their accounts. If only all Christian people would insist on paying cash, especially to small shopkeepers, what a blessed revolution would ensue. It is neither honest nor just to withhold payment from those to whom it is due.

We must be very gentle and considerate to those who suffer from any infirmity (Matthew 22:14). God's love is always endeavoring to make up in some way to those who are handicapped. The blind Milton sings of Paradise, and Helen Keller has been enabled to triumph over insuperable obstacles. We are to become ears to the deaf and eyes to the blind.

We must not hesitate to rebuke sin (Matthew 22:17). This needs deep humility, tact, the removal of the beam from one's own eye, the love of Christ for souls; but how much damage might be done if we do nothing, leaving our neighbor in sin?

We must not bear a grudge (Matthew 22:18). All, this is hard! To feel hurt, to take offence, to be cold and stiff, to stand at a distance, how many of us fail here! But we must act and speak to others in the power of God's love, as we would do if there were no grudge within.

The lawyer asked Christ: "Who is my neighbor?" suggesting that some one should neighbor him. Our Lord reversed his inquiry, saying in effect: "Whom will you neighbor?" If you go through life seeking people to neighbor you, life will be full of disappointment; but blessed is he who seeks to neighbor others; he shall not lack those who, in the hour of trial, will neighbor him.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, soften our hard and steely hearts, warm our icy and frozen hearts, that we may wish well to one another, and may be the true disciples of Jesus Christ. I plead it in His name, AMEN.