What makes a good neighbor?
The word ” neighbor ” in James 2:8 comes from the Greek word plesion, meaning ” the one near or close.” The farm houses were not scattered all over the hillsides in Bible times. The people gathered in villages and went to and from their fields. Neighborhoods of people influenced domestic life in those days. Social life was comprehensive and governed by privileges and duties.
James 2:8: If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well.
The Lawyer’s Question.
A lawyer who came to Jesus with his question was an expert in the law of Moses.He asked a question -not sincerely but attempting to test or trap Jesus. He asked, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus assured him that the law was correct, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind ; and thy neighbour as thyself “( Luke : 10:27). The lawyer was not satisfied with the reply Jesus gave him, however. He knew that he was not living up to this high principle; so looking to justify himself by asking ” Who is my neighbor?”
In answer to the lawyer Jesus offered the beautiful parable of the Good Samaritan. All would agree that the Samaritan who helped the poor beaten and robbed man was his neighbor. Jesus taught the lawyer that anyone in need is our neighbor. Go do as the Good Samaritan had done, in other words go be a neighbor.
Being a Good Neighbor
Jesus said, ” This is the first and great Commandment . And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:38-39).
Loving people is next to loving God . Jesus emphasized the importance of this principle by making it the second Commandment, but He likened it to the first and great Commandment. He went on to say that all the law hangs on these two greatest Commandments, meaning that all the Old Testament develops and amplifies these two points.
NEIGHBOR IS NOT Only The People Next Door. NEIGHBOR IS Seen AS One’s Associate or Come In Contact With.
That was an excellent article! Thank you!
Blessings and thank you .
Our neighbor is anyone around despite their ethnic, religious, or socio-economic status.
1 Corinthians 10:24, No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.
1 Thessalonians 5:11, Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Excellent Post!!!!
Blessings and thanks excellent dividing of the world
Good point