How Being All There Could Save a Life…
9-19-2010

The Great Commandment teaches us that being all there involves our whole being:

  • Our affections: "all your heart…"
  • Our emotions: "all your soul…"
  • Our intellect: "all your mind…"
  • Our actions: "all your strength…"

    • Not only is this true in our relationship with God but it's equally vital to our relationships with others if we are to experience love at last sight. Notice how being all there could save a life in this faith builder.

    “One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: "Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?" 26 Jesus replied, "What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?" 27 The man answered, "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.' And, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" 28 "Right!" Jesus told him. "Do this and you will live!" 29 The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" 30 Jesus replied with a story: "A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. 31 "By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. 32 A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. 33 "Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, 'Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I'll pay you the next time I'm here.' 36 "Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?" Jesus asked. 37 The man replied, "The one who showed him mercy." Then Jesus said, "Yes, now go and do the same." ”

    - Luke 10:25-37 (NLT)

    What made the difference between the religious leaders and this Samaritan? How could each one walk by the same desperate man and yet only the Samaritan take note of his condition and respond? When we love with Christ's love we experience a love at last sight. To love like Christ means to be all there wherever you are. To love like Christ is to be sensitive to "holy interruptions". When you love like Christ you demonstrate God's love whenever you have opportunity. That was what the Good Samaritan did.

    To be all there in your relationships here's a good tip from the Good Samaritan:

    1. Be attentive to needs around you
    2. Be available to God
    3. Act In Love
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    Let's make it real. Ask yourself, "What simple act of kindness can I do today that will demonstrate God's love to others?" Pray, "Lord, help me to be all there wherever I am and see the needs around me as You do." In Jesus name, Amen.