DO YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR NEIGHBOR?

The past few articles have addressed the importance of caring for our brethren. And we have shown several ways that we show how much we care. But what about those who are not Christians? What responsibility do we have to them? Do we have to care about our neighbors? Too many in the world have the philosophy that you have to look out for yourself first. There are far too many who do not care about anyone else. However, let’s notice what the scriptures say about caring for others.

You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Thus say the scriptures. It was a part of the Old Law as Moses wrote, “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:18). In the New Testament, this phrase is found at least 8 times, each one with an impressive description of the importance of the command. The phrase is quoted at least 5 times in the gospels in conversations with Jesus (Matthew 5:43; 19:19; 22:39; Mark 12:31; Luke 10:27 – [some of these may be repeating of the same occasion]). Paul said that all the commandments are summed up in that saying (Romans 13:9-10) and all the law is fulfilled in that command (Galatians 5:13-15). James referred to it as the Royal Law (James 2:8) and said that to show partiality (prejudice) was to violate this very important command (cf, 2:1-13). The word love in each of these verses is from the Greek word agape which we have defined as, caring enough to sacrifice for what is best. You CANNOT separate true Christian love from caring. And in these verses we can see that we HAVE TO care about our neighbors if we are to be pleasing to God.

Realizing this leads to the question, Who is my neighbor? We can answer this by examining one of the above texts, Luke 10:25-37. A lawyer (probably a Pharisee or Sadducee) approached Jesus asking what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. Jesus asked him, “What is written in the Law? What is your reading of it?” In modern vernacular, Jesus asked him, “What do you think it is? You tell Me what you know.” The lawyer answered by quoting from Deuteronomy 6:5 where we are to love God with our all and Leviticus 19:18. Jesus affirmed that his answer was right. But the lawyer wanting to justify himself asked, “And who is my neighbor?” This prompted Jesus to tell the parable of the Good Samaritan, in which a man traveling to Jericho is beaten, robbed and left to die. Both a Levite and a priest passed by failing to render aid, while a Samaritan (who was of a nation that was despised by the Jews) was willing to stop and help in every way he could including putting him up at an inn until he recovered. Jesus then asked the Lawyer, “So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among thieves?” The answer was the Samaritan which Jesus said was correct and,”Go and do likewise.” In this parable we learn that our neighbor is ANYONE we have the opportunity to do good for. It could include the family next door as well as some stranger we meet on the street. Instead of asking, “Who is my neighbor?”, we ought to be asking, “Who can I be a neighbor to?”

One way we show that we care for our neighbors is by being concerned about their souls. This ought to be our primary concern with anyone we come in contact with because if a soul is lost, what good is everything else. Personal evangelism is something that ought to be continually stressed in the pulpit and in Bible classes. We can stress it all day long, showing Biblical examples, passages and ways to reach the lost. BUT if we don’t CARE it will never get any further than the building and untold millions will continue to die untold!
How much did they care about teaching the gospel to others in the New Testament? Acts 8:4 tells us that after brethren in Judea and Jerusalem were persecuted, they went everywhere preaching the word. Peter, Philip, Paul and others devoted their lives to taking the gospel to the lost (their neighbors). They endured great persecutions and risked their lives so that they could take the gospel message to a lost and dying world. Why? Because they cared! Paul showed this as he said, “ Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.” (Romans 10:1). To another church he said, “Yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.” (1 Corinthians 9:16). A few verses later Paul explained how he became all things to all men, “that I might by all means save some” (9:19-23). Referring to the judgment that all must appear before and give account for their lives he said, “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” (2 Corinthians 5:10-11).
Jesus also illustrated how we are to care with a parable of a shepherd who had one hundred sheep. When one strayed away, the shepherd left the ninety-nine to find it. And when he found it he put in on his shoulders and brought it back to the flock rejoicing (Luke 15:3-7). And of course do not forget that Jesus came and died for us (sinners) because He cared. Will we follow His example? (1 Corinthians 11:1; 1 Peter 2:21)
If we care we will pray for opportunities to teach and reach our neighbors. Notice Romans 10:1 above. Paul not only desired salvation for Israel, but he prayed to that end. Paul asked the brethren of Colosse to pray for them, “that God would open to us a door for the word…” (Colossians 4:2-3). Matthew 9:38, Jesus taught that we should, “pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” I am convinced that there are some who are not blessed with the ability to teach the lost as effectively as others (and I also believe that many who ARE capable use it as a crutch). But even if that be the case, they CAN pray for the lost and those who are teaching. They can strive to be a good example and look for opportunities to introduce the gospel to their lost neighbors. But will they? The answer really lies in how much they care.

We care for our neighbors by doing good for them. The Christian’s life is one of good works. Titus says that Christ gave Himself for us, “that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:14). To the Ephesians Paul said, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. ” (Ephesians 2:10). He wrote in Galatians 6:10, “Therefore as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” What are these good works that we are supposed to do? They involve doing whatever we have the ability to do. The particular acts are not specified. But we know that our lives are to be filled with them. They can be spiritual or physical. They can involve helping a neighbor or one who is needy (James 1:27). They might include financial help or just offering words of encouragement. Jesus listed several things in Matthew 25:30-46 that will be taken into consideration when we stand before Him in judgment. You can get a good start from the examples given in that text: visiting the sick and in prison, clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, etc. Exactly how much we are to do is not specified. We understand that we cannot do everything for everyone and I do not believe we are expected to. What we do and when requires great judgment on our part, BUT I am afraid that too many of us do not do as much good for others as we ought to. The bottom line is how much do we CARE?

Let us understand that doing good deeds is more than a mere exercise in philanthropy. For the Christian it is a tool that can lead to the saving of souls. In stressing the importance of a good example, Jesus said, “Let you light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16). Peter in lending encouragement to brethren dealing with suffering at the hands of others said that as pilgrims and sojourners our conduct is to be, “honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (1 Peter 2:12). Doing good will often open doors and hearts to receive the gospel message. Why? Because our actions speak louder than our words. Perhaps you have heard the saying before, “they don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” How much good are you doing for your neighbors?
We care for our neighbors by having a proper attitude. A good attitude cannot be emphasized enough in the life of a Christian. Its importance applies to every facet of life. And the world is watching! Consider what type of people do others like to be around? Do they like complainers, criticizers, gossips, liars, and those who have a sour disposition all the time? Most don’t. Yet there are many Christians who wander around as if they were the most miserable, mistreated and deprived people in the world. Some never have anything good to say and they look at everyone with suspicion. Some live to criticize even the smallest of faults in others, often blowing them way out of proportion. Such attitudes will drive people AWAY from the message of Jesus Christ that we are trying to teach. And I will add to this that such an attitude is WRONG! Christians ought to be the happiest people on the earth. We are certainly the most blessed where it really counts. Look at Paul and Silas singing praises to God in prison after being beaten for preaching (Acts 16:25). Consider the example of Peter and John who, “departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5:40-42). And of course there is Jesus Himself who, “for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2). Notice their attitudes in spite of their adversities. Why? Because they knew what was most important, and they cared enough to sacrifice for what is best.

The New Testament clearly describes the attitude of a Christian. Notice how pleasant we are to be before others. Are we kind? (1 Corinthians 13:4, Ephesians 4:31-32) Are we patient? (1 Corinthians 13:4,7; Galatians 5:22) Are we tolerant? (Romans 15:1-2) Do we try to see things their way? (1 Corinthians 9:19-23) Are we forgiving? (Matthew 6:14-15) Is our speech gracious? (Colossians 4:6) Are we humble? (Philippians 2:3-4; Matthew 5:3,5) Are we compassionate? (Colossians 3:12-13) The proper disposition of a Christian is good for society and it WILL bring glory to God. But do we care enough to consider our attitude when we are around others? Think about this when you are driving, while out shopping or dining, etc.

When we care about our neighbors we will strive to be good neighbors ourselves. As Paul said in Romans 13:10; “Love does no harm to his neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” We must always remember that our neighbors are observing everything we do. Does our conduct show that we really care about them? “Let each of use please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.” (Romans 15:2). Think about it.