James 2:8 If
you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as
yourself," you are doing right.
Yesterday, in the Sunday School class
that I teach, we were discussing the parable of the Good Samaritan. It’s
probably the best known story that Jesus ever told so, throughout the class,
the participants offered their personal ideas and opinions about the parable.
It was a good way to share our faith beliefs together, and even though it was a
fictional story, Jesus told it in such a way that even thousands of years later
the heart of its message is still as relevant today as it was in His lifetime.
I also like how James described the
teaching ‘loving your neighbor as yourself.’ He called it ‘the royal law.’ This
doesn’t mean that it was only meant for kings and queens, princes or princesses;
James meant that this came as a command straight for the heart of Christ our
King. In other words, it’s meant to be taken and practiced seriously by those
who consider themselves to be disciples, followers, and servants of Jesus.
Throughout this week, we will all have
many opportunities to ‘love our neighbors as ourselves.’ The real test will
come in whether or not we respond to the needs our neighbors have, or whether
we will be too busy, causing us to walk by on the other side and discard the
royal law. The great Chinese scholar Confucius once wrote, almost five hundred
years before Christ, “To see what is right and not to do it,
shows a want of courage.” For the Christian, to see what is right and
not to do it, shows a want of faith.
Questions for personal reflection
What hinders me
from helping others in need when I see it? How do I justify my inaction?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, truly teach us Your ways
so that we may practice our faith in loving and compassionate deeds. Keep us
from being fainthearted, and encourage us to witness to You through our acts of
kindness and care. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
John
Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, TN. If you would
like to comment or ask a question about today’s message, please send John an
email to traqair@aol.com.
Today’s image is one of John’s latest
stained glass Pentecost designs called ‘Sacred Spirit.’ If you would like to
view a larger version, please click on the following link: https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2922/14024051194_10b3cce1ec_b.jpg
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