Loving our neighbors-How to stop judging & really start loving
Jesus tells us we should be loving our neighbors as we love ourselves. However this could be difficult if you don’t like being pushed out of your comfort zone, like me.
You may remember a few weeks back I talked about how ignoring your neighbors could quite possibly be denying them salvation. It had come to my attention that I was literally judging my neighbors. When it hit me, it REALLY hit me. How could I do that while at the same time professing how much I love Jesus? Jesus asked that we love our neighbors as ourselves, and there I was judging others based on appearances. I was so convicted, ashamed, and embarrassed. I just knew I had to make it right, and that’s what I set off to do. I’ll share more on that further down. (if you didn’t catch my previous post, you can read it here).
Today I’m sharing another perspective with you. Nicole over at Courage. Hope. Love. knows how much it means when neighbor is willing to stretch out a helping hand. I pray her post (How to Love your neighbor-Even when you don’t want to) will help encourage you to reach out to your neighbors in love.
Here’s some of what’s on Nicole’s heart about loving our neighbors:
When we spend time loving our neighbors like God has called us to, we are sharing the very heart of Christ.
My own life was changed by those who were willing to step outside of their comfort zone and love me where I was. Without their willingness to love their neighbor, I could have remained lost and broken.
I have seen the radical and transforming power of Christ at work when I’ve taken the time to go and serve others.
Our purpose here is to bring glory to Christ.
And when we answer the call to serve and to make disciples of all nations, we are walking in that glorious purpose.
I LOVE THAT! I want to walk in that glorious purpose, I want to be used to draw people in, not push them away.
Nicole laid out some steps she’s taken that will also help us in loving our neighbors, and moving us toward what God has called us to do.
Head over to see what else Nicole has to share with you. I know you’ll be as blessed by her words, as I was. Her post was so on time, and fell right in line with how I was feeling.
How I’ve taken action
As God laid conviction on my heart, He also provided an open door. After my neighbor complimented the new additions to my front yard, she began stacking potted plants on a small table near her home. This was an open the door to show kindness to her. I gave her another addition to add to her growing garden. She was so thankful, not just for the plant, but that I took notice and interest in what she was doing. That small gesture had a big impact….viola, door opened! Or should I say, seed planted (*WINK)! I’ll continue to reach out, even when it’s uncomfortable in hopes that the kingdom of Heaven will grow. I pray you continue to look for opportunities to stretch yourself a little more for the sake of reaching out to others with love.
16 Comments
God has been pricking my heart in this area as well! What insight God gives us to ourselves whenever we ask him to give us wisdom. I love how you highlighted ignoring our neighbors could be denying them salvation…that packs such a punch. I love even more how you’ve stepped out and planted a seed!
Oh Kristi, it makes me so happy to know that God can use every one of us to lift our brothers and sisters. I’m glad this post could possibly move you further in the right direction. Yeah, I smile every time I see that plant in front of her house. It’s growing so nicely, makes me pray that her love for God will too.
I love this so much! What a great reminder for me!
We all need reminders, it’s great when God chooses to use us to help remind others.
This is a great reminder, especially in the current cultural climate!
Amanda, you’re absolutely right. We could all use, and give a little more love & with our neighbors is where it needs to start.
That’s wonderful that you were able to reach out to your neighbor. Thankfully we’ve had good interactions with our neighbors but we do have an acquaintance that has been a little difficult. I’ve had a hard time wanting to reach out and continue to cultivate that relationship. Thanks for encouraging me to dive in and find ways to connect.
Lexi, I’ve had times where I didn’t even WANT to reach out and be a better person. That’s when I pray through gritted teeth, and God is always faithful to change my heart. I get it, reaching out sounds easy, but it’s not always the case. Pray about it, He’ll move your heart in the right direction.
This is good food for thought. It’s hard to reach out to neighbors in person today, at least in my neighborhood. I used to have to go door-to-door on my block for my HOA, and people were so suspicious.
Nancy, we’ve come to a place in our society where most of us just want to be left alone…I’m guilty of it. I literally have to pray that God gives me a heart to reach out. Not that I don’t care, but that I don’t act on it. I’ve just started with a smile, then a “good morning”, and doors have been opening from there…start small, and you’ll see a change.
EXCELLENT post. The main thing I try to tell my kids is that it’s none of our business what people are doing. It’s between them and God. All we are meant to do is love.
Thanks Amanda, I’m so grateful that Nicole has let me share what God laid on her heart too. I love what you said! Yes, it’s not for us to judge, or for us to know how god is working on them. the best we can do is be His hands and feet. Thank you for sharing that.
What beautiful encouragement to love our neighbors. It’s so easy to hole up in our air-conditioned (or heated) homes and never see each other! We miss out on beautiful opportunities to plant seeds!
OH MY GOODNESS! Betsy, this is me all the way! But yes, we miss so much more than we could know. I think of my own self. Aas a child, seeing Christians be their best made me curious to know more about their world, now here I am.
such a beautiful and inspiring post!!! I work hard to consistently share love for neighbours, but it can get tough when things aren’t going right within ourselves. Thanks for sharing this insight!
Thank you Elise, I’m grateful to Nicole for allowing me to share her post here. I’ve gotta get better at this. I believe (like you said) it takes constant hard work.