What a Christian Neighbor Looks Like

By Danny Saavedra

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”—Romans 12:18 (NIV)

Yesterday, we looked at Jesus’ answer to the question, “Who is my neighbor?” Through the famous Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus exposed something important: The man was asking the wrong question.

You see, the man wanted limits. He wanted Jesus to give him a criteria for who he actually had to love as himself. But through the parable, Jesus turned the question around and showed us what we really should be asking is, “Who can I be a neighbor to?”

That flips the entire script, doesn’t it? Now the responsibility is on us. We’re not looking for loopholes. We’re not trying to figure out who qualifies for our compassion. We’re asking God to make us the kind of people who show mercy, love, patience, and practical help to whoever He places in our path.

So, what does that actually look like? I believe Romans 12:18 and Titus 3 give us a great picture.

In Romans 12, Paul gives us a vision of sincere Christian love. He doesn’t use vague, sentimental, or theoretical language; he’s very direct. He tells believers to hate what’s evil, cling to what’s good, be devoted to one another in love, honor others above themselves, share with those in need, practice hospitality, bless those who persecute us, and refuse to repay evil for evil. Then he says, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (emphasis added).

Those seven words, “as far as it depends on you,” are vital here because they essentially reinforce Jesus’ lesson in the Parable of the Good Samaritan. How so? Well, Paul isn’t saying you can control every relationship or force your neighbors, coworkers, family members, classmates, or strangers to treat you well. You can’t make every person reasonable, kind, respectful, or peaceful. You can’t expect them to approach you with the same mentality Jesus taught in the parable.

But, you are responsible for your side of it. As far as it depends on you, be kind and patient. As far as it depends on you, refuse to discriminate or alienate. As far as it depends on you, don’t return evil for evil, insult for insult; don’t go blow for blow. As far as it depends on you, be the kind of person who makes peace easier not harder.

This is also what Paul emphasizes in Titus 3. He tells believers to be ready to do what’s good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to be gentle toward everyone.

Now remember, Paul wrote this in a world that was not friendly to Christians. Rome and Crete were filled with immorality, opposition, oppression, and sinful ideologies. Yet the call remained the same: to represent Jesus well.

That’s a strong word for us today! Whether we’re dealing with someone on the other side of the political aisle, someone hostile to Christianity, someone living in sin, or someone who is simply difficult, rude, or draining, we’re still called to display the character of Christ. That doesn’t mean we compromise truth, ignore sin, or pretend everything is fine. But it does mean the truth we believe must shape the way we treat people.

And that’s really the heart of sanctification, isn’t it? As we grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus, as we grow in relationship with our Savior, as the Spirit works in our hearts and lives, that inward transformation makes its way outward into how we live, what we do, and how we treat others.

Because of this, because Jesus has saved and transformed us, as Christian neighbors, we can’t look away when there’s a need. We can’t use truth as a weapon to crush people or treat difficult people like interruptions, enemies, or projects. Instead, we should joyfully look for ways to serve, encourage, pray, listen, help, forgive, and speak with grace!

And listen, I know that’s not always easy. In fact, sometimes it’s downright costly. It may cost you time, comfort, pride, convenience, or even your “right” to be right. But that’s exactly why it reflects Jesus.

So, let’s be a people who walk out of our front door with the question, “Who can I be a neighbor to today?” on our heart and mind! Amen?

Pause: As far as it depends on you, are you living at peace with the people God has placed near you? Who can you be a neighbor to today?

Practice: Choose one person near you and take one practical step toward being a better Christian neighbor. Encourage them, pray for them, serve them, check in on them, forgive them, or meet a practical need.

Pray: Lord, open my eyes to the people You’ve placed in my path. Help me stop looking for loopholes and start looking for opportunities to love. Make me kind, patient, truthful, generous, gentle, and ready to do good. Let my life reflect Jesus before I ever speak His name. Amen.