For quite some time God has put it in my heart to be developing relationships wherever possible, that doors may open to share the good news of Jesus. I’m always looking to verbally share the good new. But, the foundation of that is just loving others. Most often it’s developing relationships with people in my neighborhood and people I run across on a regular basis. Every now and then there is a chance opportunity with a stranger, like the homeless guy next to the gas station, or the lady who broke down at the intersection.
For application of his sermon this morning, Pastor James had us look at Ephesians chapter 4 and Matthew chapter 25. I got some real practical information on how to love others. For me, if I have some ideas in my mind of what to be on the lookout for, I tend to be more in tune when God points out something He wants me to take action on. So, the following are some parameters I got from those two passages that I’m going to keep in mind.
· Speaking the truth in love. Speaking truth to people is a way to love them. It is a loving thing to point somebody’s sin or character flaws out to them and encourage them to change.
· Save some of what God allows us to earn to help others. God calls us to plan some saving into our budgets, so the money is already there when someone has a financial need. Especially be looking to meet basic needs – food, clothing, a place to stay (I meet these needs in myself because I love myself, and I’m called to love others the same way).
· Meet people’s needs with our words. Sometimes people’s need is emotional, rather than physical. What they need at those times is for me to be there for them, go see them or invite them to my house, show I care, listening to them, and share something encouraging that meets there need (being careful not to share something that seems spiritual, but is trite).
· Readily forgive others and ask forgiveness for whatever part, even if it’s small, that I have done wrong.
· Visit the sick and imprisioned. If someone I know is sick or in prison, visit them.
To even make it more practical, pick two that you could start right away. Where is there opportunity for you to love your neighbor right now?
I hope this helps you, as I'm sure it will me. I’d love for you to submit a comment if you have a practical application or thought to add.
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