Who's My Neighbor? A Biblical Call To Love OthersSample

Copy Cat

Marian Redwine

Be like Jesus. Act like Jesus. Live like Jesus.

It’s said so matter-of-factly as though we should just know what it means and do it. It’s overwhelming, isn’t it? To act like Jesus. And what if we do it wrong? If only there were a place to find a list of instructions, especially when it comes to loving others. It’s easy to love those who are kind to us and show love in return. But I think God’s calling us to more, don’t you? To love those that are hateful, those who think differently than we do, those who act out, those who are marginalized. He’s calling us to love our neighbor.

Ephesians 5:1-2 (TLB) says, “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love..." When is the last time you made it your goal to do something exactly like someone else? Like, maybe never? Ladies, can you imagine trying to find out where a friend got her dress for an event and going to get the same one so you could be twins for the event? Or men, would you ever find a guy you think is going places and start imitating everything he does?  (I hope not!)  

I think there’s a desire in most of us to be different than everyone else. You may not be the kind of person who wants to stand out in a group or have a spotlight on you, but most of us want to be exceptional at something, right? If there's one way we could strive to stand out, wouldn't it be amazing to be the best at love? Lucky for us, we have an example to copy. As we read of how Jesus loved, how Jesus treated people, the way Jesus responded, we are invited to “go and do likewise.” The best way to know how to love others is to get to know our example. You've already taken the first step by stopping to spend time with God. Why not make a commitment to yourself today to give Him your attention, and keep your eyes on the One you're trying to imitate?

The Message reads like this, “Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love...” 

Watch what He does, then you do it.  Keep company with Him.  
In every situation, stop and think about how God would love and just love like that.