Basic HTML Version
What a different world this would be if all of mankind’s hearts were as compassionate
and caring as made known in this story about the Good Samaritan
“Go and Do Likewise”
Not to ever come to have caring LOVE for a neighbor will take away any hope of ever
having eternal life unless there is repentance and amends made to repair a relationship
whether a brother in Christ, or a neighbor, as Jesus Christ made known through the
Apostle John:
I John 3:14-15 “We know we have passed from death to life because we
LOVE the brethren. He who does not LOVE his brother abides in death.
Whoever hates his brother is a murderer and you know that no murderer
has eternal life abiding in him.”
Further areas defining a neighbor are listed by the following lead-ins to other
Scriptures:
Cruden’s Concordance
, Neighbor: “[1] One who dwells or is placed near another, II
Kings 4:3. [2] Every man to whom we have an opportunity of doing good, Matthew
22:39. [3] A fellow-labourer, of one and the same people, Acts 7:27. [4] One who does us
good, and who pities and relieves us in distress, Luke 10:36.”
The Magnification of God’s Laws
Concerning His holy and righteous laws, Jesus Christ said to His disciples on what is
called His sermon on the mount:
Matthew 5:17-18 “Do not think that I came to destroy the law or the
prophets (
laws and writings of the prophets in the Old Testament
). I did NOT come
to destroy, but to fulfill (
to do or perform by doing and obeying them
). For
assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle
(
the dotting of an i or crossing of a t
) will by no means pass from the law until
all is fulfilled (
when all of mankind will be fulfilling it through obedience
).”
Jesus Christ then made known the laws of God were expanded beyond their literal
meaning in the Old Testament to their highest level of caring love for one’s neighbor by
including intent, thoughts, and attitudes, as can be seen by the following Scripture:
Matthew 5:43-45 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall LOVE your
neighbor and HATE your enemy.’ But I say to you, LOVE your enemies, and
bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for
those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of
your Father in heaven . . .”
Thus the following Scripture of magnifying the law was fulfilled by Him:
9