Who is my neighbour

[GrowingSmaller]

A christian ought to love their neighbour, and the good samaritan is the model of neighbourliness, right?

But if everyone is my neighbour, then the people who mugged the poor guy were his neighbours too.

But then, what point inthe parable of the Good Samaritan in the first plece.

A christian is commanded to love and pray and bless his enemies, but to love his neighbour as himself.

So are there diofferent categories or styles of love??


Is everyone our neighbour, or only the good samaritans of the world?

Thanks in advance, I have consulted many christians and they all say all in society are our neighbours - but I thought this was more an anglican tradition. So much for my knowledge eh?

GS!

 

[bling]

When Christ was asked the question by a devout Jew: “Who is my neighbor”, Jesus could not have picked a person more despised by Jews than a Samaritan. Samaritans where half breeds that occupied the Promised Land before the Jews returned from exile, so they were really hated by the Jews. The fact that the Samaritans were practicing the Jewish religion without really becoming a Jew angered the Jews even more. You can see when Christ asked the “expert in the law” so who was the neighbor the “expert” could not even say “The Samaritan”, but said: “The one who had mercy on him.”

So your worst enemy should be considered your neighbor.

 

[ViaCrucis]

A christian ought to love their neighbour, and the good samaritan is the model of neighbourliness, right?

But if everyone is my neighbour, then the people who mugged the poor guy were his neighbours too.

But then, what point inthe parable of the Good Samaritan in the first plece.

A christian is commanded to love and pray and bless his enemies, but to love his neighbour as himself.

So are there diofferent categories or styles of love??


Is everyone our neighbour, or only the good samaritans of the world?

Thanks in advance, I have consulted many christians and they all say all in society are our neighbours - but I thought this was more an anglican tradition. So much for my knowledge eh?

GS!

Yes, if everyone is our neighbor than that includes the people who mugged the man and left him for dead in a ditch.

That's partly the point.

Jesus taught us to love our enemies, to turn the other cheek, to walk the extra mile, and to hand over our shirt if our coat is demanded from us. The whole point of these statements involve violent people acting violently and that the Christian response is to be love. Love the one that seeks your misery, do not hate them. "Bless and do not curse". "Pray for those who persecute you, bless those who curse you."

That's the point. When everyone is our neighbor, than nobody is outside of our calling to love. We are called to love everyone, without exception. That means even those who, in ages past, cast us to be eaten by lions, or nail us to a cross, or burn us at a stake. The martyrs are a witness for us because they continued to be beacons of God's love and kindness in the midst of their sufferings. Because they endured what they endured and committed themselves to the love of even their own tormentors.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[GrowingSmaller]

Ok but being beaten up has its consequences, like being unable to work. Is Christianity (taken literally) viable?

 

[Radagast]

But if everyone is my neighbour, then the people who mugged the poor guy were his neighbours too.

Yes, but they didn't act the way a neighbour should.

The point is in what Jesus said: “Which of these [men] do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers? ... Go and do likewise.”

Is Christianity (taken literally) viable?

Indeed, yes. Christian countries are generally much nicer places to live than non-Christian countries.

That's probably why there's a huge queue trying to enter Christian countries (or formerly Christian countries that are still organised along Christian lines) but there's no queue trying to enter non-Christian countries.

 

[Emmy]

Dear GrowingSmaller. My neighbour is all I know and all I meet, friend or
no-friend. Jesus told us: " Love God with all your hearts, with all your souls, and with all your minds. ALSO: Love your neighbour as you love yourselves."
Jesus also told us: " On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." God is Love, and God wants loving sons and daughters.
It is straightforward, Love God over all, and love others as you love yourselves, treat them as you would love to be treated, and remember:
God can see our hearts, God will know if you treat others as you want to be treated, or not. Only you yourself knows, how you expect to be treated, for whatever you do or say, and God will know if you act accordingly.
If you are attacked and your life was in danger, you would be able to defend yourself, but always within reason. We are not to kill if our lives are not endangered. At times that will be hard to judge, but GOD KNOWS OUR HEARTS. Do to others as you would have others do to you, but NEVER MORE.
A human judge can jump to a wrong conclusion, but GOD NEVER, God knows our hearts, and God will judge us rightly. I say this with love, GrowingSmaller.
Greetings from Emmy, sister in Christ.

 

[Hentenza]

Ok but being beaten up has its consequences, like being unable to work. Is Christianity (taken literally) viable?

There are literal Christian prison ministries staffed by real Christian who spread the love of Christ to prisoners accused of much more heinous crimes that just beating someone up.

 

[GrowingSmaller]

hey thanks, but there seems to be a contradiction. Modern churches advocate self defence, and material gain to some degree. But the core of christianity seems pacifistic and even 'deconstructionistic' (reversing normal expectations and codes of conduct).

Is this because there was an "apostolic age" succeeded by a "Church age" which is more centred around worship and traditional wisdom ("my words bring life" says wisdom in the proverbs)... rather than he who loses his life will gain it (? Gospel message IIRC).

So apostles and the early martyrs had to give all to establish, but we (who live in a christianised culture) have to reflect on that and not die for a cause already established to some degree. Is this valid?

Like what Soren Kierkegaard the philosopher said, its difficult to be a christian (ie live the gospel message and ethic) in a christian culture. The house is already painted, all we need to do is keep our fingers off the walls.

 

[GrowingSmaller]

There are literal Christian prison ministries staffed by real Christian who spread the love of Christ to prisoners accused of much more heinous crimes that just beating someone up.

Hey thats good work. I know of a famous skateboarder (Mark Gonzales) who converted in jail. Also I know that the Catholics regard visiting prisoners as a "work of mercty". Spiritual I think.

 

[gord44]

edit

 

[dcalling]

If any one try to divert from the word of God, they are not from God. The teachings of God is clear, but we humans are weak.

A true Christian who submit himself totally to God will trust God (not himself) for judgement.

Proverbs 20:22
Do not say, "I'll pay you back for this wrong!" Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you.

hey thanks, but there seems to be a contradiction. Modern churches advocate self defence, and material gain to some degree. But the core of christianity seems pacifistic and even 'deconstructionistic' (reversing normal expectations and codes of conduct).

Is this because there was an "apostolic age" succeeded by a "Church age" which is more centred around worship and traditional wisdom ("my words bring life" says wisdom in the proverbs)... rather than he who loses his life will gain it (? Gospel message IIRC).

So apostles and the early martyrs had to give all to establish, but we (who live in a christianised culture) have to reflect on that and not die for a cause already established to some degree. Is this valid?

Like what Soren Kierkegaard the philosopher said, its difficult to be a christian (ie live the gospel message and ethic) in a christian culture. The house is already painted, all we need to do is keep our fingers off the walls.

The way of God is not easy. It is easy to follow human nature, to steal, to use force for worldly gains.

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it" Matt 7:13

 

[GrowingSmaller]

One more thing I really need to know is if "do not judge" is a duty, then what happens to ones moral compass. A christian is called to the sanctified life IIRC, and the church militant fights for the common good. But if I do not judge anyone, how do I know whether they are in the right or wrong?

Is it more judge the actions not the person, and dont try and "send them to hell" through an act of will?

 

[Receiver]

...
Thanks in advance, I have consulted many christians and they all say all in society are our neighbours - but I thought this was more an anglican tradition. So much for my knowledge eh?

The way to understand the parable and therefore what Jesus is saying to you is to appreciate the things he says.
He pours in oil and wine and leaves the victim at an inn until he returns.
Clearly this is Jesus pouring out the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4 onwards), the love of God (Romans 5v5, Jude 20-21), and taking people to his church where all is provided (see 1 Corionthians 14).

Note that religious people do not offer this.
So, you need to get involved in a church like the one that Jesus set up.

 

[dcalling]

One more thing I really need to know is if "do not judge" is a duty, then what happens to ones moral compass. A christian is called to the sanctified life IIRC, and the church militant fights for the common good. But if I do not judge anyone, how do I know whether they are in the right or wrong?

Is it more judge the actions not the person, and dont try and "send them to hell" through an act of will?

Matt 7
1. Judge not, that ye be not judged.
....
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

Those are the word of God, not my own word. We are all humans and we Christians believe none of us are good enough for God's glory, we all fail short.

It is just God's way to tell us that we are not as good as God, and we should leave the Judgement to him, and only mind our own actions. If people act against this, they are act against God.

Here is what God tells us:

46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like.48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” (Luke 6)

 

[oi_antz]

A christian ought to love their neighbour, and the good samaritan is the model of neighbourliness, right?

But if everyone is my neighbour, then the people who mugged the poor guy were his neighbours too.

But then, what point inthe parable of the Good Samaritan in the first plece.

The point is found in Matthew 25:40.

A christian is commanded to love and pray and bless his enemies, but to love his neighbour as himself.

So are there diofferent categories or styles of love??

There is many things (ie, actions) that can be done in love. Eg, you can give a man a fish and feed him for a day. You can teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime. As a metaphor, sometimes when you are teaching someone how to "catch their own fish", they will be hungry. Both acts can be a result of love.

Is everyone our neighbour, or only the good samaritans of the world?

This is a great question! It is the sort of quesion that people usually don't ask! Most people assume that what their conscience says is the absolute right answer. If you read Jesus carefully though, He dosen't actually tell this man who his neighbour is. Instead, He forces the man to accept what his conscience tells him. You should do likewise.

Thanks in advance, I have consulted many christians and they all say all in society are our neighbours - but I thought this was more an anglican tradition. So much for my knowledge eh?

GS!

People usually want to feel they are right, and expressing their view is an attempt to get you to support them. But, just remember Matthew 25:40, because at the end of the day, it will show the value second greatest commandment as Jesus understood it.

One more thing I really need to know is if "do not judge" is a duty, then what happens to ones moral compass. A christian is called to the sanctified life IIRC, and the church militant fights for the common good. But if I do not judge anyone, how do I know whether they are in the right or wrong?

Is it more judge the actions not the person, and dont try and "send them to hell" through an act of will?

I think this comes from what Jesus said in Matthew 7:2.

The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.

This is due to basic human jealousy. If someone objects to your judgement (which is going to happen, since judgement is a divisive action), then they will begin seeing that you are not as good as you expect others to be. This is the typical meaning of hypocrisy.

The part I have found interesting is the self judgement. In fact, when we make judgements, we become exceedingly aware of that judgement and it aggravates us. Whereas if we did not make the judgement in the first place, it would not have become as much of an annoyance to us.

 

[bling]

hey thanks, but there seems to be a contradiction. Modern churches advocate self defence, and material gain to some degree. But the core of christianity seems pacifistic and even 'deconstructionistic' (reversing normal expectations and codes of conduct).

Is this because there was an "apostolic age" succeeded by a "Church age" which is more centred around worship and traditional wisdom ("my words bring life" says wisdom in the proverbs)... rather than he who loses his life will gain it (? Gospel message IIRC).

So apostles and the early martyrs had to give all to establish, but we (who live in a christianised culture) have to reflect on that and not die for a cause already established to some degree. Is this valid?

Like what Soren Kierkegaard the philosopher said, its difficult to be a christian (ie live the gospel message and ethic) in a christian culture. The house is already painted, all we need to do is keep our fingers off the walls.

It is sad, but lots of people that call themselves "Christians" are not Christ like (the real meaning of Christian).

 

[bling]

One more thing I really need to know is if "do not judge" is a duty, then what happens to ones moral compass. A christian is called to the sanctified life IIRC, and the church militant fights for the common good. But if I do not judge anyone, how do I know whether they are in the right or wrong?

Is it more judge the actions not the person, and dont try and "send them to hell" through an act of will?

We Love the person and do not make a smap judgement about their motives, but do not aprove of every action. The person themselves can judge his own actions and often let you know.

 

[Radagast]

One more thing I really need to know is if "do not judge" is a duty, then what happens to ones moral compass.

One must be very cautious in judging others -- that is, I think, what Jesus is saying. In particular, being aware of the possibility of a "beam in one's eye," one should judge oneself by a stricter standard than used to judge other people.

 

[Radagast]

I have consulted many christians and they all say all in society are our neighbours - but I thought this was more an anglican tradition.

That has always been the Christian teaching.