THE GOOD SAMARITAN
What is the greatest attribute a Christian can possess?
What is the attribute that is applicable and necessary for the person
to have eternal life?
“Where is the faith, grace, the giving of your heart to the Lord… the asking for forgiveness...where is the confessing with your mouth the Lord Jesus?”
“Where is the faith, grace, the giving of your heart to the Lord… the asking for forgiveness...where is the confessing with your mouth the Lord Jesus?”
The attribute that the Samaritan had that the others that passed by the injured man did not was...LOVE!
1 Corinthians 13:1-2...Faith must exhibit love....grace and mercy must exhibit love....confession and repentance must exhibit love.
If we say we believe and don't exhibit a loving spirit...a spirit that is compassionate and forgiving...willing to provide comfort to the weary...we might be in for the shock of our lives when we see our real selves in the mirror!
Does Jesus mean that I must be willing to love our enemies...the Muslims, the drug addict, the down and out on the street?
Yes...but it is a different kind of love that can only come from a changed heart.
We are all sinners, and without Jesus to cleanse us from our sin, we're hopelessly unclean. But even greater than the kindness shown in the story of the good Samaritan, Jesus' kindness changes our lives forever....
Everywhere we turn, we hear about “love”—in music lyrics, in advertisements, on television, and in church. BUT...
WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN TO LOVE OTHER PEOPLE? LOVE IS SACRIFICIAL...IT IS MORE THAN JUST TALK. IT'S WALKING THE WALK. ITS GOING OUT OF OUR WAY TO HELP UNLOVELY PEOPLE. IT'S TAKING TIME OUT OF OUR BUSY SCHEDULES TO SHOW THAT WE CARE.
Be aware of others needs...
Be available
Be rendable
Be bendable
Be sendable...
Only “the Changer” of the changed heart can do the impossible. Jesus knows exactly where we are and what our possibilities are. He can inspire us to love others as we love ourselves. Yet...it is a decision we have to make...if you won't help Him accomplish His goal...He will use someone else.
"Lord, help us to be inspired to understand people of different ages, stages, and faces." Stonecroft Ministry
Think about how God has shown you mercy in your life.
How have those experiences affected you? God wants to save us through the sacrifice of His Son, but He also wants us to show others His mercy through our acts of kindness.
Will you consider some ways you can be a good neighbor by communicating God's message of mercy to others through your actions?
God first and loving our neighbor as ourselves.
In the next lesson (John 11:1-45) Jesus turns the tables and states how to
live even if being dead (“I am the resurrection and the life. He who
believes in me will live, even though he dies” (John 11:25).
What is the difference in believing in Jesus and loving God with all your heart,
all your strength and all your mind...and loving your neighbor as yourself?
God says that without faith, it is impossible to please God. Yet...one that says
he has faith...but does not have or show love...he or she is a tinkling
symbol and is “nothing”...even if he gives all his money to the poor...and
has not love, he is “nothing” (1 Cor. 13:2-3).
Love..faith....belief in the Savior...are all intertwined and part of the saving gospel.
Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead...to bring glory to God. Raising Lazarus from the dead was not near the miracle that will take place when all the bodies of all that know Jesus will be resurrected to live with Jesus forever! Give Him praise...for He is our All in All!
“NO JESUS, NO HOPE; KNOW JESUS, KNOW HOPE!”
