LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR EVEN IF A STRANGER

January 6, 2022

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but loveH157 your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD. You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and loveH157 him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 19:18 & 34

God, without question, commands us to emulate His pattern of unconditional love. To “love your neighbor as yourself” would indicate to show love to everyone but especially to those you encounter daily, within your sphere of influence. Then He goes even further by stating the Israelites should love the stranger—the resident alien—living in their cities. God’s reasoning is that they were once the strangers living in a foreign land, enslaved in Egypt, so they should have empathy for the plight of someone living in a foreign land.

When the hunt for Osama Bin Laden was raging, the Lord impressed upon me (Susan) to pray for his children which I at first took to mean his biological children, but now realize could apply to his philosophical children—radical Muslims—as well. My reaction to that was, “Come again, Lord? You want me to do what?” However, I obeyed this word from God. Then I found myself also praying that the hunted Osama Bin Laden would have an experience with Jesus that he could not explain away leading him to become radically saved. As far as I know the Lord answered “no” to that specific prayer, but I still pray for those of the Muslim faith to experience the grace of God and trust Jesus as their savior.

Look around your neighborhood, apartment complex, office or wherever you spend your time. Are there any strangers there to whom you should be demonstrating the love the God? Brainstorm ways to “love your neighbor” this week and do them. A few examples to get you started:

  • Bake cookies to share with your coworkers
  • Send a thank you note to the local fire or police department
  • Mow an elderly neighbor’s lawn
  • Take time to listen to others

Father, reveal to whom we need to show Your love each day and enable us to be light to those in our paths for Your glory.