“Indeed, if you fulfill the royal law prescribed in scripture, Love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing well.” James 2:8
Let’s be honest with ourselves. We know the church in America has lost its influence. We have allowed the culture to shape us rather than we shaping, influencing the world. It is also true that most churches are shrinking rather than growing, maintaining at best. The reality is we must begin doing something different if we have any hope of becoming the world changers God has ordained us, called us to be. So, what if…?
What if we begin by taking this command, not this suggestion, but this command: To love your neighbor as yourself to heart? What if we took it more seriously and truly tried to apply this command to life? We know our neighbor is not simply the people who live next door, across the street, or even two houses down the block. Truly our “neighbor” can be the teller at the bank, our doctor, the store cashier, or the waitress at our favorite eatery. Our neighbor therefore can be anyone in our sphere of influence. But since we are beginning a new thing, let’s begin small for simplicity’s sake. We will tackle the world after some smaller victories! Let’s focus on those who are nearest us – our neighbors next door. The people who live next door or across the street. Many of whom we do not know. Even if we lived next door for years! Yikes!
How do we begin? We pray! We pray for our neighbors to have open hearts and minds to receive the news about the God who cares. Some of our neighbors will be Christians just like ourselves, who know they should love their neighbors as themselves but never have done it…either. Our ministry to them might just start something new in them! Victory!
So, we begin by praying. Asking God for an opportunity to get to know our neighbors. I met my neighbor across the street when she had a garage sale. My neighbor next door when he brought me tomatoes out of his garden. In each case I took time to ask questions, start a conversation and build a relationship.
If we pray, we can expect God to provide! Watch for needs. Some way that might open a door. The elderly lady across the street left her garage door open late at night. The kid’s bike was left in the street. The wind blew the neighbors garbage can into your yard! Your neighbor buys a new car, you hoped to buy! Go check it out! Go meet your neighbor!
Of course there is a more direct route! Go knock on their door and introduce yourself. Take a plate of cookies, a jar of nuts, or some chocolate! Apologize for not doing it sooner! Be honest! Be yourself!
Let’s change our world! …Bro. Sherman
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