DCLM Higher Everyday 5 September 2023 — Proof Of Neighbourliness
DCLM Higher Everyday 5 September 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Proof Of Neighbourliness
Topic: Proof Of Neighbourliness
Text: Luke 10:29-37
29But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
30And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
31And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
33But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
34And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
36Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
37And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Key Verse: “And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise” (Luke 10:37).
Message
The English Merriam Webster Dictionary defines a neighbour as, “One living or located near another.” Christ’s illustration and explanation in our text, show that neighbourliness goes beyond relating with people who live next door. Neighbourliness implies showing mercy or doing good deeds to people irrespective of their colour, tribe, nationalities, economic standings and religious backgrounds. According to Mary Ann Kelty, “Small kindness, small courtesies, small considerations, habitually practised in our social intercourse, give a greater charm to the character than the display of great talents and accomplishments.”
You are neighbourly, when as a believer you help the poor, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, support those who are weak and comfort the sorrowful. Do you know that assisting your colleagues in college is part of neighbourliness? Giving First Aid treatment to an injured person is kindness. It is true friendliness when you show a stranger the right way to go. The greatest good you can render, as a Christian, is to lead an unsaved person to salvation through faith in Christ. If you have never done it, start today.
Quote: Support those who are weak
Challenge: Show kindness to people.
Prayer for today: Lord, help me to be good to all people.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
