Who is My Neighbor?

May 29, 2020

Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. (Ephesians 5:15-17)

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

(Psalms 139:23-24)

With all of the current events in the news about racial injustice I have been pondering, how is that two people can hear the same sound and see the same sights at the very same time but come away with a completely different understanding of what they just heard and saw?  I think part of the answer has to do with perspective.  Every person has a perspective that is based upon what they believe to be true.  What I believe to be true comes from my culture, education, life experience and my understanding of the nature of God.  All of these factors effects how my mind interprets what my sense of sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch give as inputs to my brain. 

What I believe to be true leads to how I interpret what I see and what I see leads to what I do based upon what I see.  The justification for how Europeans enslaved, oppressed and killed many African people to serve their purposes in the New World was partly based upon the belief that African people were something less than human.  Adolf Hitler believed and convinced many people in Germany that Jews and those he considered as undesirables as being something less than human.  Advocates for abortion believe that a fetus is not a person.  History tells the sad results of such beliefs which includes the Jewish holocaust, the horror of and lasting legacy of slavery in our country and the death of millions of unborn children. 

Jesus is the absolute truth and he has given us the Holy Spirit, the spirit of truth to lead and guide us into all truth.  But what about my own beliefs and actions, do they agree with the nature of God revealed through Jesus who is one with the Father?  Are my beliefs absolutely true or are they colored somehow by culture, education, life experience and my understanding of the nature of God?  Do I somehow see some people as less than human, not worthy of my attention or compassion?  Do I have contempt for people who are somehow not like me or disagree with my beliefs?  Sadly, I must admit that my life experience has taught me how easy it is for me to be deceived and completely misinterpret what I see and hear.

Jesus came from the Father full of grace and truth and he came into our world to seek and save the lost.  This included those who did not think they were lost or needed to be saved.  Luke 10:25-29 tells us, “On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?””

Quite some time ago I had an image come to mind as I was praying.  The image was of a machine that an optometrist would use to perform an eye exam  As I pondered the meaning of the image I came away with the impression that I needed an eye exam to correct my vision. I have worn corrective lenses since I was in the first grade so I am very familiar with eye exams and the wearing of glasses to allow me to see. However, at the time I was not having any problems with my vision so I just set the image aside to see if it would become important at another time.  I think I now understand the meaning of the image.  I need a change of perspective ….. a change in what I believe to be true….. which will change how I interpret what I see and hear and what I do as a result.  I need the conviction of the Holy Spirit and resulting Godly sorrow that leads to repentance.  I need my mind to be renewed.  Indeed, who is my neighbor?

It has been said that rioting is the language of those who have no voice and who are ignored.  In no way am I am justifying the destruction of property and looting but instead see this as a wakeup call for the white community of which I am a part.   Will we listen and burn any of our thinking that is contrary to the truth of Jesus?  Or will we watch the fires spread and grow with the resulting damage to our communities while we shake our heads?

It is time, well past time, for me to speak up for those who have no voice in our community, to take time to understand their perspective and to begin to advocate for them.  Please join me in embracing the words of 1 Peter 1:13-19,  “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”

Blessings,

Kevin