On Sunday we explored God's command for us to love our neighbor. God wants us to be committed to other people's daily and eternal good without concern for our pleasure or gain. He wants us to love others just like God loves us. Jesus tells a powerful story that challenges us to focus our attention on our hearts toward those around us - especially those who aren't like us and don't know Jesus. If you didn't participate in our gathering on Sunday, you can click here to watch or listen. Jesus masterfully engages with an expert in the law to show us all that the focus of our lives is not to get the right answers but to live in the right way. The Parable of the Good Samaritan is a well-known story that teaches a profound truth. 

Another great teaching of Jesus on this subject (I guess all teachings of Jesus are great, aren't they?) can be found in the Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 5:43-48. Jesus calls us to love up, in, and out with equal energy and intent. We love God (up), we love one another in the church (in), and we love out (those outside the church - even our enemies). So, here are a couple of questions for you to regularly ask yourself: "How can I be a good neighbor to this person I don't like? What action can I take to best serve the daily and eternal good of this person who doesn't like me? 

Grace and Peace, 

Drew