Helpful is Good!

 March 20, 2023 Monday Message:

1 John 2:7 NLT: “Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment for you; rather it is an old one you have had from the very beginning. This old commandment—to love one another—is the same message you heard before.”

In Jesus’ day, the religious establishment put all their efforts into obeying laws and observing traditions. Loving their neighbor wasn’t on the day’s agenda! But Leviticus 19:18 says, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” They should have already known!

The command to love your neighbor doesn’t refer to a single isolated incident. For those Israelites and for many nowadays, it requires a total change of heart, a change in attitude. I explain this to people as figuring out what you could do that would be helpful.

Example: Friends recently took an airplane trip, the husband in a wheelchair, and the wife his caretaker. They boarded the man first, but would not allow his wife on the plane until much later. She explained their medical situation, but was offered no help. It seems that she didn’t have the right kind of ticket that would allow early boarding. When finally allowed on the plane, she was seated 20 rows from her husband. It seems the ticket agent’s goal was enforcing rules, not being helpful! The airline could have done better!

When faced with a situation, ask yourself, “What could I do that would be helpful?”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship