How can I be a loving neighbor?

What makes a neighbor is a huge topic for discussion and does it include geographical proximity, race, religion, or one who share the same social or economic status?

Who is my neighbor?

1. a person who lives near another.

2. a person or thing that is near another.

3. one's fellow human being: to be generous toward one's less fortunate neighbors.

4. a person who shows kindliness or helpfulness toward his or her fellow humans: to be a neighbor to someone in distress.

5. (used as a term of address, especially as a friendly greeting to a stranger): Tell me, neighbor, which way to town?¹

Greek word for neighbor

[Ουσ. γείτονας//
ο πλησίον (μτφ.)//
γειτονικός/
Ρημ. γειτνιάζω, γειτονεύω, συνορεύω]²

We understand that one of the greatest commandments is that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. In Luke 13: 25-37, Jesus taught the parable of the Good Samaritan, and this gives us wiser understanding on this topic, as we explore the Scriptures and dig a little deeper.  

As the story unfolds we find that the route to Jericho, still visible today also include long stretches of rocky terrain and that could have made it a useful base of operation for robbers! The Priest and the Levite had an opportunity to help the man who fell in the hands of the robbers, but they passed by and in other words they were deceived and they missed a good opportunity to serve. Here we find that Jesus picked a Samaritan, someone from an ethnic group Jews detested, as the “hero” of the story; Lk: 10: 31-33. The Samaritan set him on his own animal, brought him to the inn, gave two denarii to the inn keeper which is equivalent of two day’s wage and continued to care for him. Jesus is making an additional point that loving one’s neighbor involves, showing compassion and care even to those whom we do not have any relationship, and answering the question of the lawyer who want to “justify himself”.

Culturally it would have been so unthinkable for a Samaritan to help a Jew Jn 4:9; 8:48.  The lawyer understood partially that the Old Testament is the definitive, unerring standard of faith and practice as he questioned Jesus wanting to prove himself. Jesus knew that he falls far short of following the commandments; Mk: 10:19 and corrected his question.  The correct question then should be “how can I be a neighbor” rather than “who is my neighbor”. There is more to this question and to the motives of our heart and we can see that the lawyer has no genuine desire to be taught by Jesus.

Satan is a liar by nature and he always opposes the “Truth”. We can safely say that Satan is a pathological liar (John 8:44). He would lie even when he didn’t have to. He is both self-deceived and a deceiver (Revelation 12:9). From the beginning of time, Satan has sought to oppose God and His people by opposing the truth. Consider some of Satan’s tactics throughout history, as exposed in the Scriptures. He works to keep men from the truth, or to keep the truth from men; Mark 4:15;2; Corinthians 4:3-4. He denies the truth, usually declaring a “new truth” in its place; Genesis 3:1-7. He seeks to deceive men about the truth by disseminating his false teaching and doctrines as the truth; 1 Tim 4:1-5. He distorts the truth; Matthew 23:23-24. He works to produce disobedience to the truth. Satan knows that to keep men from obedience to the truth is as good as keeping them from the truth; 1 Jn 2: 4-6. He seeks to fan the flames of man’s curiosity and of his ego, so that he will forsake God’s truth in the pursuit of “higher” truth; 1 Cori 4: 6. He even works among believers, to turn them from the truth and to incite them to be untruthful (see Matthew 24:24; Acts 20: 29-30; 5:1-11).

All God’s exposure of meaning confronts us with God’s will, and this confrontation changes us noetically: it is simultaneously an exertion of control.  Moreover, God’s fellowship with us transforms us: we cannot remain the same when we stand in the presence of the Holy One.  We are either destroyed or made holy.  Thus God’s presence is always a form of control³. If we try to understand the Fall and the consequences of it in Gen: 3; and the redemption story, we can trust that the presence of God in all circumstances is a very good control only to prosper us and not to destroy us.

The meaning of : no·et·ic

/noʊˈɛtɪk/ Show Spelled [noh-et-ik] Show IPA

adjective

1. of or pertaining to the mind.

2. originating in or apprehended by the reason.

Origin:
1645–55; < Greek noētikós    intelligent, equivalent to nóē ( sis ) noesis + -tikos -tic⁴

Let us think of a time when we hesitated to respond to some one in need and what kept us from responding? How do we feel when we see pictures of starving children and people in TV and magazines? Let us put ourselves in the place of the “expert in law” who can question God’s word and “justify our actions” like the lawyer. Do we have the teachable spirit? OR do we want to justify our position, and think we know it all and in that process exposes our stupidity and be deceived?

Loving the Lord involves not only having faith in Him, but also delighting in Him above all else and I understand this does not come naturally to a fallen man! The indications of total devotions of one’s entire being includes heart (emotions, will and deepest convictions), soul (the immaterial part of the person’s being), mind (reasoning), and strength which is how the person uses the ability, skill and power which God has given in His infinite mercy.

In our time of quiet reflection, think of a time, when we have experienced love from someone which was expressed in a practical way and how does that make us feel? In what practical ways can we “go and do like wise”? Samaritan ministers to the injured, suffering robbery victim and in our families, in our marriage, community and society how do we move? How do we extend mercy in a deeper way?

How can I be a loving neighbor?

End Notes:

          1. ¹Neighbor | Define Neighbor at Dictionary.com

dictionary.reference.com/browse/neighbor

noun 1. a person who lives near another. 2. a person or thing that is near another. 3. one's fellow human being: to be generous toward one's less fortunate neighbors ...

   2.² What is the Greek word for 'neighbor'? | ChaCha

www.chacha.com/question/what-is-the-greek-word-for-%27neighbor%27

What is the Greek word for 'neighbor'? ChaCha Answer: The English language word "neighbor" translates to "geitonas" in the Greek lang...

3. ³by Vern Sheridan Poythress
[Published in Westminster Theological Journal 50/1 (1988): 27-64. Used with permission.]

        4. ⁴Babylon 9 Translation Software and Dictionary Tool

www.babylon.com/definition/neighbor/Greek

English - Greek Technical Dictionary: Download this dictionary: neighbor (Lex**) γείτονας ... neighbour. γείτονας English Greek Technical Dictionary

Bibliography:

1. Millard J. Erickson. Christian Theology. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983-85, p. 947-1002.

2. R.T. Kendall. Understanding Theology, Developing a Healthy Church in the 21^st Century, 1996, p. 357-364.

3. Jay E. Adams. A Theology of Christian Counseling, More than Redemption. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1979, p.249-275.

4. Louis Berkhof. Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996, p. 423-450.

5.  Robert P Lightner. Handbook of Evangelical Theology, Historical, Biblical, and Contemporary Survey and Review. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1986, p.527-544.

6. Charles Ryrie. Basic Theology. Chicago: Moody Press, 1986, 1999, p.374-377.

7.  A. H. Strong. Systematic Theology. New Jersey: Fleming H. Revell Co, 1907, p. 869-881.

 8.  Wayne Grudem. Systematic Theology, An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994, p. 736-761; 840-850.

9. Steven W. Waterhouse. Not By Bread Alone, An Outlined Guide To Bible Doctrine. Amarillo: Westcliffe Press, 2007, p.188-191. 

10. John Theodore Muller, Th.D. Christian Dogmatics, A handbook of Doctrinal Theology for Pastors, Teachers, and Laymen.  St. Louis, Mo: Concordia Publishing House, 1934, p.384-386.  

11. ESV Study Bible. English Standard Version. Crossway Bibles, Wheaton, Illinois: Publishing ministry of Good News publishers, 2008.

Website References:

   1. Babylon 9 Translation Software and Dictionary Tool

www.babylon.com/definition/neighbor/Greek

English - Greek Technical Dictionary: Download this dictionary: neighbor (Lex**) γείτονας ... neighbour. γείτονας English Greek Technical Dictionary

2.        What is the Greek word for 'neighbor'? | ChaCha

www.chacha.com/question/what-is-the-greek-word-for-%27neighbor%27

What is the Greek word for 'neighbor'? ChaCha Answer: The English language word "neighbor" translates to "geitonas" in the Greek lang...

3.        Neighbor | Define Neighbor at Dictionary.com

dictionary.reference.com/browse/neighbor

noun 1. a person who lives near another. 2. a person or thing that is near another. 3. one's fellow human being: to be generous toward one's less fortunate neighbors ...