'UNBELIEVERS' AND AGAPE LOVE
Jesus told a parable about the good neighbor to a lawyer that desired eternal life in Luke 10:25-42. This parable highlighted agape love for strangers and brethren alike.
According to Christ, the Samaritan whom the Jews referred to as unbeliever (just like we perceive people of other denominations) showed compassion and love while the 'pious' Jew and 'holy' Levite passed by.
The Spirit showed me 4 hidden truths while i was meditating on this scripture:
- A so-called unbeliever may actually be more pleasing before God than we all pious folks with our show of righteousness.
- We should not discriminate against individuals or people of other Christian faith on account of their conservative or liberal way of life for they may be more justified before God than us.
- While Believers are expected to show love, you do not need to be a Christian to be filled with the milk of human kindness.
- Don't just be sympathetic towards people, Act on the stirring inside of you. When you see a hungry/sick person and you are touched by that person's plight don't mummer words of pity and pass over. Most of us see accident victims by the roadside and we wine 'eyah' and pass by. Now that was the attitude of the Levite and the Priest.
- Note the selfless act of the Samaritan in stopping by the man, performing first aid on him and then taking him to where he would receive proper treatment and then paying the bills.Now that's agape love from an unbeliever.
I wonder why Jesus choose the Samaritan as the one that showed love in the parable? Why not the Priest or the Levite? God says his ways are not our ways neither is his thoughts ours. I'm certain our Lord knew about the arrogance and pride in spirit of Jews who felt they knew God better and as such became judgmental towards others who had not experienced the saving power of Christ. Christ expects that we be tolerant and loving towards sinners. We shouldn't be like the Jews that had no dealings with the Samaritans. Our Lord Jesus ate and drank with tax collectors and sinners and the religious Jews criticized him for it, Luke 5:30-32.
Some Christian folks believe it is wrong to interact with sinners, this is an high look which the Lord despise. For how do we win them to Christ if we do not interact with them with love being led by the Holy Spirit.I Cor 9:20-25, I Cor :10 We should let the light of Christ shine through us to the world. We are the city set on the hill. The light set on the candlestick. Have we ever imagine what would have happen if the Jews related well with the Samaritans, maybe they would have shown them the way of Salvation. Maybe...Just maybe.
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