Luke 10:25–37 · Series: Who Is My Neighbour?
“Who is my neighbour?” It’s not about them, it’s about us: our heart attitude, our willingness and our love in action.
Continuing our series “Who Is My Neighbour?”, guest preacher Pastor Garo Bala shows that being a good neighbour starts with God Himself. From the very beginning, God is relational: “Let us make man in our image.” Even after the Fall, when Adam and Eve hid and the blame game began, God still clothed them and gave them hope. All of Scripture comes down to two things: love God and love your neighbour.
Israel received God’s goodness but built walls around it, becoming exclusive rather than inclusive. Jesus turned the question around in the parable of the Good Samaritan. The priest and the Levite protected their duties and their comfort. The despised Samaritan went out of his way, cared for the wounded man and paid for his recovery. “Go and do likewise.”
Loving God is not only about identity. It is proven in action. That means stepping out of our comfort zones, taking risks in faith, and showing compassion where we live: at home, at school, at work, in our communities, on the sports field and in our church fellowships. Often a cup of tea or a simple act of hospitality is what opens the door to the gospel.
“If we don’t do it, someone else will do it.”
Reflect this week
- Who is your neighbour in your own time and space: family, school, workplace, community?
- Where have you built walls that keep others out?
- What step of faith could you take this week to love someone in need, physically, emotionally or spiritually?
Key scriptures: Luke 10:25–37 · Genesis 1:26–27 · Genesis 2:18 · Genesis 3 · Exodus 20:1–17 · Deuteronomy 6:4–9 · Leviticus 19:18 · Mark 12:29–31 · Matthew 22:39 · John 15:13 · John 3:16–18 · 1 John 4:7–12 · Colossians 4:5–6 · Philippians 2:14–15 · James 2:17 · Psalm 121