81. LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR!Are the three Liars: pride, selfishness, and prejudice blocking the flow of love in your life in any way?
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Someone once said,
"People were created to be loved. Things were created to be used. The reason the world is in chaos is because things are being loved and people are being used."
Imagine how different the world would be if love for others was its foundational principle! The selfish human heart misses the real point of life while in pursuit of house, car, fashion, and fortune. Whereas the self-sacrificing heart not only revels in its glory, but is also lled with the love that only spouse, child, and family can produce. And yet, as hard as it may be to imagine, there is a special kind of love that transcends even the love of family. It is the altruistic love for a stranger, a love that overcomes prejudice and crosses boundaries of education, race, religion, and culture.
Can you imagine a day when there is no prejudice? Can you imagine a day when instead of using missiles to solve problems nations use love? It’s hard to imagine! Think of all the labels that divide and create prejudice and have lead to war. Arab, Jew, Gypsy, Kurd, and American are just a few labels that some would use as an excuse to not love others. Perhaps one of Jesus’ most remarkable statements is found in Matthew chapter 5 verses 43-45:
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his rain to fall on the just and the unjust.”
Although there are thousands of war stories from every culture, country, and continent, the most wonderful stories are of nations who took extraordinary steps toward peace and goodwill. One such moment took place in 1845.
Ireland was experiencing a terrible famine. Blight had destroyed the potato crops, which had become a staple for both man and livestock. Wealthy landowners had given the peasants such small parcels of land that they were forced by circumstance to plant potatoes, which had the highest yield per acre. Unfortunately, massive production of a single crop left very little room for failure. When blight struck, half of the harvest was destroyed and over a one million people died of starvation.
Sultan Abdülmecid heard of the famine. He had made tremendous efforts to forge relationships with European countries during the Crimean war.3 A progressive leader, he declared his intention to send 10,000 sterling to Irish farmers.4 However Queen Victoria of England requested that the Sultan send only 1,000 sterling. Why? Because she had sent only 2,000 sterling! She thought she might look stingy if a gift came from Turkey that dwarfed her gift. Wanting to maintain diplomatic relations, the Sultan decided to only send 1,000 sterling. But his heart was sincerely moved by the plight of the Irish, so he also secretly sent food. Three ships were loaded full of the nest food Turkish soil had to offer. According to historical records, the English courts tried to block the ships. But the Ottoman sailors were able to deliver the food to the harbor in Drogheda, Ireland. Even today the people of Drogheda remember the deed and have a great love for Turks.
The Sultan's act of love toward the Irish people reminds us that we need to extend our compassion outside the borders of our own families and friends, to those we wouldn't naturally care for.
Jesus told a story about a man who went beyond the call of duty to help another person. The man became known as "the Good Samaritan." The story has become so famous that many clubs and organizations around the world have borrowed the name and practices of “the Good Samaritan” in their work for the downtrodden and poor. But before we look at Jesus’ story, let’s understand a bit of the context. We can get that by reading Luke chapter 10 verses 25-29:
25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tempted Him, say- ing, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26 Jesus said to him, What is written in the law? How do you read it? 27 And answering, he said, “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.” 28 And Jesus said to him, “You have answered right; do this and you shall live. 29 But the lawyer, willing to justify himself, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor?”
This lawyer specialized in complex laws. Jesus’ concise answer made the thick subject of the law embarrassingly simple! So many people would rather debate about the ner points of religion than to participate in it’s central focus and practical application, to love! They would rather argue the virtues of entering a room with their right foot, drinking a glass of water in three gulps, or the correct form of prayer, than to actually show love. This lawyer enjoyed the “philosophy” of religion. But he wasn't prepared for such a quick solution to his riddle when Jesus laid it out very simply by saying,
“Love God and love your neighbor.”
Trying to regain his status as a clever man, he tried to create an unanswerable question by asking,
“Who is my neighbor?”
But Jesus had an answer for that too! Let’s read Jesus’ gentle re- sponse in Luke chapter 10 verses 30-33:
30 And answering, Jesus said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among robbers, who stripped him of his clothing and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 And by coincidence a certain priest came down that way and seeing him, he passed by on the opposite side. 32 And in the same way a Levite, also being at the place, coming and seeing him, he passed on the opposite side. 33 But a certain traveling Samaritan came upon him, and seeing him, he was filled with pity.
To get the full impact of what Jesus was saying, we need to remember that the road from Jerusalem to Jericho looked very similar to the valleys of Cappadocia. It was a great place for bandits to hide because there were caves everywhere. Men would hide in the rocks waiting for potential victims, pounce on them when they passed by, steal their money, and quickly escape back into the rocks and holes. The traveler in Jesus’ story found himself in this type of situation, trapped in a canyon with no place to run. The gang of robbers not only stole his money but also his clothes, leaving him beaten, bloodied, and half dead.
Because the trail through the canyon was narrow, all the travelers had to pass by this man. The rst man to arrive on the scene of the crime was a priest. The priest’s job was to help men make sacrifices. Therefore he was use to blood. But when he saw one of God’s bloodied creations, a man, lying on the road he was unwilling to help. Did this man have love? No. He was more concerned with keeping himself clean for religious services than helping his fellow man. He was focused on the minute details of the law that governed the ritual holidays, feasts, fasts, and sacrifice, but was missing its real meaning! How do you think God felt about this priest ignoring a dying man?
The second man who wandered down the road and came upon the beaten, bleeding traveler was a Levite. Every priest was a Levite, but not all Levites were priests. This man could boast of a holy bloodline, traceable back to Moses and Aaron. In his mind he may have thought,
“I am someone special.”
But when he saw that man groaning on the side of the road, bleed ing, and needing help, he likely reasoned,
"Someone more ordinary than me can help this man. Besides, I don’t want to spoiled by this man’s impurities."
Then Jesus introduced a third character, a Samaritan. The lawyer to whom Jesus was speaking was a Jew. For Jewish people the Samaritans were the lowest of the low. They were likened to dogs because they were not pure Jews.5 In fact, on one occasion the priests were so angry with Jesus they accused him of “being a demon possessed Samaritan.” In other words, it was the worst insult they could think of!6
So when Jesus said that a Samaritan came down the road, got off his donkey, and had compassion on the man, Jesus had everyone’s attention. Let’s see what Jesus said next in Luke chapter 10 verses 33-35:
33 But a certain traveling Samaritan came upon him, and seeing him, he was lled with pity. 34 And coming near, he bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine, and set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And going on the next day, he took out two denarius and gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, Take care of him. And whatever more you spend, when I come again I will repay you.
That was the end of Jesus’ story. Then looking directly at the lawyer, Jesus asked him a question. We can read it in verse 36:
36 Then which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?
In debate, the lawyer was a slick speaker; and in arguments over details of the law, had likely put people on the hot seat many times. Now he felt an unusual warm sensation come over his forehead as he saw that Jesus had turned the tables. How could he respond? He definitely didn’t want to look bad. Let's see what he said in verse 37:
37 And he said, “The one doing the deed of mercy to him. And Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Go and do likewise. Go and love like a Samaritan! Jesus had sum- marized his point by saying in essence,
“The one you count as worse than a dog, when he is loving people, is more pleasing to God than the man who has all the ritual and piety of Abraham’s offspring.”
In God’s economy, love is the currency. Here on earth, ambition, fame, and money can take a man or woman into high places. They can get you connections and better jobs. But Jesus taught that if you want to go places with God, love is the ticket. It doesn’t matter what is written under religion on your identity card. What really matters is loving people in practical ways, when they are sick, lonely, or in need.
You will nd as you look back upon your life that the moments you really lived were the moments you did things in a spirit of love. Love is everything it's applauded to be. It really is worth struggling for, being brave for, and risking everything for. Jesus taught that if you don't risk everything for love, you risk losing even more, your salvation.
We learn through the story of the Good Samaritan that love isn't easy and often costs much. For the Good Samaritan, it cost him time because he had to stop, clean the man, and deliver him to the inn. It cost the Samaritan money because he paid two silver denarius to the hotelkeeper. It also cost him comfort because he had to walk, while the wounded man got to ride on his donkey. Here is the principle of love: if it is true love it will always have costs. Love makes us sacrifice and rearrange our priorities.
What were the priest and Levite unwilling to sacri ce? They didn’t want to give their time. They had an attitude that said,
“My appointment is more important than this man. I have a schedule to keep and people are depending on me.”
They also didn’t want to give up their money. It is quite possible that they worried,
“If I pause to help this man, surely those bandits will rob me!”
They also didn’t want to compromise their comfort! There thoughts may have been,
“I am not going to touch that dirty naked guy. I will have to wash again before the next time of prayer!
There are three huge barriers to love: pride, unforgiveness, and self ishness. They are called the "Three Liars" and they work together like this. Pride is the root of prejudice, which in turn creates excuses for unforgiveness. When we don’t forgive we make our need to be justified (self gratification) greater than a person’s need to be forgiven and loved. It is a vicious cycle that impedes personal and spiritual growth. So how do we break the cycle? We must make a conscious choice to interrupt and break down the patterns of the “Three Liars” by choosing love over pride.
We know that God is love7 and the source of all love. But does the principle of love “costing something” apply universally?
This leads us to a very interesting question. If love’s core principle (vital to it’s very existence) is that it always sacri ces or gives up, what has God sacrificed or given that testifies of His love? In other words, what does God’s great love for us cost him? If He is the biggest “lover” shouldn’t he have some great price to show for it? Love cost the Samaritan, time, energy and comfort. There are costs when we give love to our spouse, children, neighbors, and friends. What does love cost God? Similarly, we can ask the same thing about Jesus.
Jesus was the teacher of love. What did he sacrifice or give up to show his love?
You have come a long way in these studies. Now as we move toward the climax, watch as an amazing display of God’s love is played out. The next ten studies will build toward a crescendo of God’s tremen- dous expenditure of love for the world.
A newspaper columnist who was also a doctor wrote about a wife who came into his of ce full of hatred toward her husband.
"I not only want to get rid of him, I want to get even. Before I divorce him, I want to hurt him as much as he has hurt me."
The doctor suggested an ingenious plan. Whispering as he spoke, he told the wife,
"Here is a plan that will tear him to pieces. Go home and act as if you really love your husband. Tell him how much he means to you. Praise him for every decent trait. Go out of your way to be as kind, considerate, and generous as possible. Spare no efforts to please him, to enjoy him. Make him believe you love him. After you've convinced him of your undying love and that you cannot live without him, then drop the bomb. Tell him that you’re getting a divorce. That will really destroy him."
With revenge in her eyes, she smiled and exclaimed, "Beautiful, beautiful. He won’t know what hit him!”
And she did it with enthusiasm. Every day she acted like she loved him. For two months she showed love. She was kind, listening, giv- ing, reinforcing, and sharing.
However, when she didn't return to the newspaper reporter’s office after two months he became curious and decided to call her.
"Are you ready now to go through with the divorce?"
"Divorce?" she exclaimed. "Never! I discovered I really do love him."
Her actions had changed her feelings. Motion resulted in emotion. The ability to love is not established by fervent promise as much as it is by the determination to repetitively engage in acts of love.
Do not waste your time wondering whether you love your neighbor. Act as if you do. Jesus said, “love your enemy.” We can’t do that sincerely on our own power, but we can treat him with love, just the same. As soon as we do this, we discover one of the greatest secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will start loving him.
On the contrary if you injure someone you dislike, you will find yourself disliking him more. However if you treat him well, you will find yourself disliking him less. In a very real sense love for others brings us into participation with God. That is a very safe and healing place to be.
Discussion Questions
1. Why do people like to debate the finer points about religious subjects rather than its practical application?
2. Who is your “neighbor”? What practical ways can you show love to “your neighbor”?
3. Are the Three Liars (pride, selfishness, and prejudice) blocking the ow of love in your life in any way?
4. What has love “cost” you? Do you think the “cost” of love is worth it?
3 Incidentally Sultan Abdülmecid was the first Sultan to introduce paper money.
4 That would be equivalent to about 2.4 million TL today.
5 The Samaritans were a mixed race. When the Assyrians invaded the north- ern kingdom of Israel in 745 B.C. they mixed the bloodlines of the people still living in Palestine and deported many Jews to other lands. When the Babylonian captivity ended for the southern kingdom of Judah they tried to rebuild the temple and the city of Jerusalem and it was this mixed group of Samaritans that hindered their work. This history combined with a mixed bloodline created prejudice among the people.
6 John 8:48
7 1 John 4
"People were created to be loved. Things were created to be used. The reason the world is in chaos is because things are being loved and people are being used."
Imagine how different the world would be if love for others was its foundational principle! The selfish human heart misses the real point of life while in pursuit of house, car, fashion, and fortune. Whereas the self-sacrificing heart not only revels in its glory, but is also lled with the love that only spouse, child, and family can produce. And yet, as hard as it may be to imagine, there is a special kind of love that transcends even the love of family. It is the altruistic love for a stranger, a love that overcomes prejudice and crosses boundaries of education, race, religion, and culture.
Can you imagine a day when there is no prejudice? Can you imagine a day when instead of using missiles to solve problems nations use love? It’s hard to imagine! Think of all the labels that divide and create prejudice and have lead to war. Arab, Jew, Gypsy, Kurd, and American are just a few labels that some would use as an excuse to not love others. Perhaps one of Jesus’ most remarkable statements is found in Matthew chapter 5 verses 43-45:
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his rain to fall on the just and the unjust.”
Although there are thousands of war stories from every culture, country, and continent, the most wonderful stories are of nations who took extraordinary steps toward peace and goodwill. One such moment took place in 1845.
Ireland was experiencing a terrible famine. Blight had destroyed the potato crops, which had become a staple for both man and livestock. Wealthy landowners had given the peasants such small parcels of land that they were forced by circumstance to plant potatoes, which had the highest yield per acre. Unfortunately, massive production of a single crop left very little room for failure. When blight struck, half of the harvest was destroyed and over a one million people died of starvation.
Sultan Abdülmecid heard of the famine. He had made tremendous efforts to forge relationships with European countries during the Crimean war.3 A progressive leader, he declared his intention to send 10,000 sterling to Irish farmers.4 However Queen Victoria of England requested that the Sultan send only 1,000 sterling. Why? Because she had sent only 2,000 sterling! She thought she might look stingy if a gift came from Turkey that dwarfed her gift. Wanting to maintain diplomatic relations, the Sultan decided to only send 1,000 sterling. But his heart was sincerely moved by the plight of the Irish, so he also secretly sent food. Three ships were loaded full of the nest food Turkish soil had to offer. According to historical records, the English courts tried to block the ships. But the Ottoman sailors were able to deliver the food to the harbor in Drogheda, Ireland. Even today the people of Drogheda remember the deed and have a great love for Turks.
The Sultan's act of love toward the Irish people reminds us that we need to extend our compassion outside the borders of our own families and friends, to those we wouldn't naturally care for.
Jesus told a story about a man who went beyond the call of duty to help another person. The man became known as "the Good Samaritan." The story has become so famous that many clubs and organizations around the world have borrowed the name and practices of “the Good Samaritan” in their work for the downtrodden and poor. But before we look at Jesus’ story, let’s understand a bit of the context. We can get that by reading Luke chapter 10 verses 25-29:
25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tempted Him, say- ing, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26 Jesus said to him, What is written in the law? How do you read it? 27 And answering, he said, “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.” 28 And Jesus said to him, “You have answered right; do this and you shall live. 29 But the lawyer, willing to justify himself, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor?”
This lawyer specialized in complex laws. Jesus’ concise answer made the thick subject of the law embarrassingly simple! So many people would rather debate about the ner points of religion than to participate in it’s central focus and practical application, to love! They would rather argue the virtues of entering a room with their right foot, drinking a glass of water in three gulps, or the correct form of prayer, than to actually show love. This lawyer enjoyed the “philosophy” of religion. But he wasn't prepared for such a quick solution to his riddle when Jesus laid it out very simply by saying,
“Love God and love your neighbor.”
Trying to regain his status as a clever man, he tried to create an unanswerable question by asking,
“Who is my neighbor?”
But Jesus had an answer for that too! Let’s read Jesus’ gentle re- sponse in Luke chapter 10 verses 30-33:
30 And answering, Jesus said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among robbers, who stripped him of his clothing and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 And by coincidence a certain priest came down that way and seeing him, he passed by on the opposite side. 32 And in the same way a Levite, also being at the place, coming and seeing him, he passed on the opposite side. 33 But a certain traveling Samaritan came upon him, and seeing him, he was filled with pity.
To get the full impact of what Jesus was saying, we need to remember that the road from Jerusalem to Jericho looked very similar to the valleys of Cappadocia. It was a great place for bandits to hide because there were caves everywhere. Men would hide in the rocks waiting for potential victims, pounce on them when they passed by, steal their money, and quickly escape back into the rocks and holes. The traveler in Jesus’ story found himself in this type of situation, trapped in a canyon with no place to run. The gang of robbers not only stole his money but also his clothes, leaving him beaten, bloodied, and half dead.
Because the trail through the canyon was narrow, all the travelers had to pass by this man. The rst man to arrive on the scene of the crime was a priest. The priest’s job was to help men make sacrifices. Therefore he was use to blood. But when he saw one of God’s bloodied creations, a man, lying on the road he was unwilling to help. Did this man have love? No. He was more concerned with keeping himself clean for religious services than helping his fellow man. He was focused on the minute details of the law that governed the ritual holidays, feasts, fasts, and sacrifice, but was missing its real meaning! How do you think God felt about this priest ignoring a dying man?
The second man who wandered down the road and came upon the beaten, bleeding traveler was a Levite. Every priest was a Levite, but not all Levites were priests. This man could boast of a holy bloodline, traceable back to Moses and Aaron. In his mind he may have thought,
“I am someone special.”
But when he saw that man groaning on the side of the road, bleed ing, and needing help, he likely reasoned,
"Someone more ordinary than me can help this man. Besides, I don’t want to spoiled by this man’s impurities."
Then Jesus introduced a third character, a Samaritan. The lawyer to whom Jesus was speaking was a Jew. For Jewish people the Samaritans were the lowest of the low. They were likened to dogs because they were not pure Jews.5 In fact, on one occasion the priests were so angry with Jesus they accused him of “being a demon possessed Samaritan.” In other words, it was the worst insult they could think of!6
So when Jesus said that a Samaritan came down the road, got off his donkey, and had compassion on the man, Jesus had everyone’s attention. Let’s see what Jesus said next in Luke chapter 10 verses 33-35:
33 But a certain traveling Samaritan came upon him, and seeing him, he was lled with pity. 34 And coming near, he bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine, and set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And going on the next day, he took out two denarius and gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, Take care of him. And whatever more you spend, when I come again I will repay you.
That was the end of Jesus’ story. Then looking directly at the lawyer, Jesus asked him a question. We can read it in verse 36:
36 Then which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?
In debate, the lawyer was a slick speaker; and in arguments over details of the law, had likely put people on the hot seat many times. Now he felt an unusual warm sensation come over his forehead as he saw that Jesus had turned the tables. How could he respond? He definitely didn’t want to look bad. Let's see what he said in verse 37:
37 And he said, “The one doing the deed of mercy to him. And Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Go and do likewise. Go and love like a Samaritan! Jesus had sum- marized his point by saying in essence,
“The one you count as worse than a dog, when he is loving people, is more pleasing to God than the man who has all the ritual and piety of Abraham’s offspring.”
In God’s economy, love is the currency. Here on earth, ambition, fame, and money can take a man or woman into high places. They can get you connections and better jobs. But Jesus taught that if you want to go places with God, love is the ticket. It doesn’t matter what is written under religion on your identity card. What really matters is loving people in practical ways, when they are sick, lonely, or in need.
You will nd as you look back upon your life that the moments you really lived were the moments you did things in a spirit of love. Love is everything it's applauded to be. It really is worth struggling for, being brave for, and risking everything for. Jesus taught that if you don't risk everything for love, you risk losing even more, your salvation.
We learn through the story of the Good Samaritan that love isn't easy and often costs much. For the Good Samaritan, it cost him time because he had to stop, clean the man, and deliver him to the inn. It cost the Samaritan money because he paid two silver denarius to the hotelkeeper. It also cost him comfort because he had to walk, while the wounded man got to ride on his donkey. Here is the principle of love: if it is true love it will always have costs. Love makes us sacrifice and rearrange our priorities.
What were the priest and Levite unwilling to sacri ce? They didn’t want to give their time. They had an attitude that said,
“My appointment is more important than this man. I have a schedule to keep and people are depending on me.”
They also didn’t want to give up their money. It is quite possible that they worried,
“If I pause to help this man, surely those bandits will rob me!”
They also didn’t want to compromise their comfort! There thoughts may have been,
“I am not going to touch that dirty naked guy. I will have to wash again before the next time of prayer!
There are three huge barriers to love: pride, unforgiveness, and self ishness. They are called the "Three Liars" and they work together like this. Pride is the root of prejudice, which in turn creates excuses for unforgiveness. When we don’t forgive we make our need to be justified (self gratification) greater than a person’s need to be forgiven and loved. It is a vicious cycle that impedes personal and spiritual growth. So how do we break the cycle? We must make a conscious choice to interrupt and break down the patterns of the “Three Liars” by choosing love over pride.
We know that God is love7 and the source of all love. But does the principle of love “costing something” apply universally?
This leads us to a very interesting question. If love’s core principle (vital to it’s very existence) is that it always sacri ces or gives up, what has God sacrificed or given that testifies of His love? In other words, what does God’s great love for us cost him? If He is the biggest “lover” shouldn’t he have some great price to show for it? Love cost the Samaritan, time, energy and comfort. There are costs when we give love to our spouse, children, neighbors, and friends. What does love cost God? Similarly, we can ask the same thing about Jesus.
Jesus was the teacher of love. What did he sacrifice or give up to show his love?
You have come a long way in these studies. Now as we move toward the climax, watch as an amazing display of God’s love is played out. The next ten studies will build toward a crescendo of God’s tremen- dous expenditure of love for the world.
A newspaper columnist who was also a doctor wrote about a wife who came into his of ce full of hatred toward her husband.
"I not only want to get rid of him, I want to get even. Before I divorce him, I want to hurt him as much as he has hurt me."
The doctor suggested an ingenious plan. Whispering as he spoke, he told the wife,
"Here is a plan that will tear him to pieces. Go home and act as if you really love your husband. Tell him how much he means to you. Praise him for every decent trait. Go out of your way to be as kind, considerate, and generous as possible. Spare no efforts to please him, to enjoy him. Make him believe you love him. After you've convinced him of your undying love and that you cannot live without him, then drop the bomb. Tell him that you’re getting a divorce. That will really destroy him."
With revenge in her eyes, she smiled and exclaimed, "Beautiful, beautiful. He won’t know what hit him!”
And she did it with enthusiasm. Every day she acted like she loved him. For two months she showed love. She was kind, listening, giv- ing, reinforcing, and sharing.
However, when she didn't return to the newspaper reporter’s office after two months he became curious and decided to call her.
"Are you ready now to go through with the divorce?"
"Divorce?" she exclaimed. "Never! I discovered I really do love him."
Her actions had changed her feelings. Motion resulted in emotion. The ability to love is not established by fervent promise as much as it is by the determination to repetitively engage in acts of love.
Do not waste your time wondering whether you love your neighbor. Act as if you do. Jesus said, “love your enemy.” We can’t do that sincerely on our own power, but we can treat him with love, just the same. As soon as we do this, we discover one of the greatest secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will start loving him.
On the contrary if you injure someone you dislike, you will find yourself disliking him more. However if you treat him well, you will find yourself disliking him less. In a very real sense love for others brings us into participation with God. That is a very safe and healing place to be.
Discussion Questions
1. Why do people like to debate the finer points about religious subjects rather than its practical application?
2. Who is your “neighbor”? What practical ways can you show love to “your neighbor”?
3. Are the Three Liars (pride, selfishness, and prejudice) blocking the ow of love in your life in any way?
4. What has love “cost” you? Do you think the “cost” of love is worth it?
3 Incidentally Sultan Abdülmecid was the first Sultan to introduce paper money.
4 That would be equivalent to about 2.4 million TL today.
5 The Samaritans were a mixed race. When the Assyrians invaded the north- ern kingdom of Israel in 745 B.C. they mixed the bloodlines of the people still living in Palestine and deported many Jews to other lands. When the Babylonian captivity ended for the southern kingdom of Judah they tried to rebuild the temple and the city of Jerusalem and it was this mixed group of Samaritans that hindered their work. This history combined with a mixed bloodline created prejudice among the people.
6 John 8:48
7 1 John 4