10 ways to love your neighbor as yourself

Several months ago, as we drove through our neighborhood, my daughter pointed out that the "bad lady" house was for sale. This woman had done nothing to my son to conjure up such a title. However, there were no fewer than seven "No Entry" signs in his courtyard. Apparently, my daughter overheard a comment I made about the signs and so the title was born. I immediately felt condemned for my behavior.

I never knew much about the woman who lived down the street, except that her name was Mary, she was older and lived alone. I waved at them when I passed, but I never stopped introducing myself. This was partly due to the fact that I was so busy with my schedule that I never opened my heart to a potential need. Another reason for this missed opportunity was simply that I felt it had nothing in common with me.

Popular culture often teaches to support others with similar views, interests, or beliefs. But Jesus' command challenges the cultural norm. In Luke 10, a lawyer asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus responded with the story of what we call, The Good Samaritan.

Here are 10 things we can learn from this Samaritan man about loving our neighbors as ourselves.

Who is my neighbor?
In the ancient Near East there was division between various groups. Animosity existed between Jews and Samaritans due to historical and religious differences. The Jews knew the Old Testament commands to love the Lord God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength and to love their neighbors as themselves (Deut. 6: 9; Lev. 19:18). However, their interpretation of loving neighbor was limited only to those of similar origins.

When the Jewish lawyer asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus used the question to challenge the attitude of the day. The parable of the Good Samaritan defines what it means to love one's neighbor. In the story, a man is beaten by thieves and left half dead by the roadside. As he lies helpless on the dangerous road, a priest sees the man and deliberately walks across the road. Subsequently, a Levite responds in the same way when he sees the dying man. Finally, a Samaritan sees the victim and responds.

While the two Jewish leaders saw the person in need and deliberately avoided the situation, the Samaritan personified closeness. He showed mercy to someone regardless of their background, religion, or potential benefits.

How do I love my neighbor?
By examining the story of the Good Samaritan, we can learn how to better love our neighbors by the example of the character in the story. Here are 10 ways we too can love our neighbors as ourselves:

1. Love is purposeful.
In the parable, when the Samaritan saw the victim, he went to him. The Samaritan was on his way somewhere, but stopped when he saw the man in need. We live in a fast-paced world where it is easy to overlook the needs of others. But if we learn from this parable, we will be careful to be aware of those around us. Who is putting God in your heart to show love?

2. Love is attentive.
One of the first steps to being a good neighbor and loving others as yourself is to notice others. The Samaritan saw the wounded man for the first time.

“But a Samaritan, while traveling, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine over them, ”Luke 10:33.

Sure, a man being beaten on the street seems like a hard scene to miss. But Jesus also shows us the importance of seeing people. It sounds very similar to the Samaritan in Matthew 9:36: "When [Jesus] saw the crowds, he took pity on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."

How can you be devoted and aware of the people in your life?

3. Love is compassionate.
Luke 10:33 goes on to say that when the Samaritan saw the wounded man, he felt sorry for him. He went to the injured man and responded to his needs rather than just feeling sorry for him. How can you be active in showing compassion to someone in need?

4. Love responds.
When the Samaritan saw the man, he responded immediately to help meet the man's needs. He bandaged his wounds using the resources he had available. Have you noticed anyone in need in your community lately? How can you respond to their need?

5. Love is expensive.
When the Samaritan took care of the victim's wounds, he gave his own resources. One of the most precious resources we have is our time. Loving his neighbor not only cost the Samaritan at least two days' salary, but also his time. God has given us resources so that we can be a blessing to others. What other resources has God given you that you can use to bless others?

6. Love is inappropriate.
Imagine trying to lift an injured man without clothes onto a donkey. It was not a convenient task and it was probably complicated given the man's injuries. The Samaritan had to physically support the man's weight alone. Yet he put the man on his animal to take him to a safe place. How have you benefited from someone who has done everything for you? Is there a way to show love to a neighbor, even if it's uncomfortable or not a good time?

7. Love is healing.
After the Samaritan has bandaged the man's wounds, he continues his care by taking him to an inn and taking care of him. Who has experienced healing because you took time to love?

8. Love is sacrificial.
The Samaritan gave the innkeeper two denarii, which is equivalent to about two days' earnings. Yet the only instruction he has given is to take care of the injured. There was no refund in return.

Jennifer Maggio said this about serving without expecting anything in return in her aritlce, "10 Things the Church Can Do to Win Unbelievers:"

“While it's a nice thing when someone we've served gives us a real, heart, thank you, it's not necessary or required. Our service to others and our commitment to do for others is about what Christ has already done for us. Nothing more."

What sacrifices can you make for someone in need?

9. Love is common.
The treatment for the wounded did not end when the Samaritan had to leave. Instead of leaving the man alone, he entrusted his care to the innkeeper. When we love a neighbor, the Samaritan shows us that it is good and sometimes necessary to involve others in the process. Who can you involve to show love to someone else?

10. Love promises.
When the Samaritan left the inn, he told the innkeeper that he would pay all other expenses upon his return. The Samaritan did not owe the victim anything, however he promised to return and cover the cost of any additional care the man needed. When we love others, the Samaritan shows us to follow our care, even if we are not obligated to them. Is there anyone you need to turn to to show how much you care?

BONUS! 11. Love is merciful.
“'Which of these three do you think was the neighbor of the man who fell into the hands of thieves?' The law expert replied: "The one who took pity on him." Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same” ”Luke 10: 36-37.

The story of this Samaritan is that of a man who showed mercy to another. John MacArthur's description of mercy is quoted in this Crosswalk.com article, "What Christians Need to Know About Mercy."

“Mercy is seeing a man without food and feeding him. Mercy is seeing a person who begs for love and gives him love. Mercy is seeing someone alone and giving them company. Mercy is satisfying the need, not just feeling it, ”MacArthur said.

The Samaritan could have kept walking after seeing the man's need, but then he felt compassion. And he could have kept walking after feeling compassion. We all do this often. But he acted on his compassion and showed mercy. Mercy is compassion in action.

Mercy is the action God took when he felt compassion and love for us. In the famous verse, John 3:16, we see that God sees us and loves us. He acted on that love with mercy by sending a savior.

"Because God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, so that whoever believes in him may not die but have eternal life".

What need of your neighbor drives you to compassion? What act of mercy could accompany that feeling?

Love shows no partiality.
My neighbor Mary has since moved and a new family has bought her home. While I could wallow in guilt for reacting more like the priest or the Levite, I am challenging myself to treat my new neighbors as the Samaritan would. Because love does not show partiality.

Cortney Whiting is a wonderfully energetic wife and mother of two children. He received his Masters in Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. Having served in the church for nearly 15 years, Cortney currently serves as a lay leader and writes for various Christian ministries. You can find more of his work on his blog, Unveiled Graces.

For more information on how to love your neighbor, read:
10 Ways To Love Your Neighbor Without Being Weird: “I felt guilty for Christ's command to give my neighbor because I didn't even know most of the people around me. I had all the excuses in the book for not loving my neighbor, but I could not find an exception clause in the second greatest commandment, Matthew 22: 37-39. After months of arguing with God, I finally knocked on my neighbors' door and invited them to have coffee at my kitchen table. I didn't want to be a monster or a fanatic. I just wanted to be their friend. Here are ten simple ways you can love your neighbor without being weird. "

7 ways to love your neighbor as yourself: “I am sure that we all identify with a group of people from a particular circumstance or life context and are filled with compassion and love for them. We find it easy to love those neighbors as we love ourselves. But we are not always moved by compassion for people, especially the difficult people in our life. Here are seven practical ways we can truly love our neighbors. ”