Do We Really Love Our Neighbor?

Ever notice how much we tend to resist doing what God tells us? In some ways, I see traces of myself in those religiously educated people that Jesus confronted. Jesus once made it crystal clear to an expert in the law what was necessary to inherit eternal life (Luke 10). Love God. Love your neighbor. When told this, the religious person didn’t respond: “How can I love my neighbor well? Teach me to love as you do, Lord." Instead, he sought to limit the call and command of God on his life. He wanted to justify limiting his love to the people who were like him. His hope was to alleviate any responsibility for loving those who were different. Like many people, he preferred a “ministry” that was clean, well-organized, safe, respectable, and not really for everyone.

Jesus launched into what we all know as the “Parable of the Good Samaritan.” He painted a picture of real love that was willing to cross social and cultural lines in order to meet the needs of a hurting person. This Samaritan accepted responsibility for the need in front of him, stepped into the mess, and provided an opportunity for a broken person to be healed. That is the heartbeat of the Come Closer invitation.

Let’s be careful not to separate ourselves, our families, and our churches from our neighbors’ deepest pain and need. Let’s be aware of the temptation to live comfortable, safe, well-organized, and respectable religious lives that are far removed from messy ministry. Jesus did not remain in the comfort of heaven, but stepped into our mess in order to save us. He didn’t wait until we were respectable to serve us. He gave his life while were were still sinners, still dirty, still unsafe. He showed us great mercy. Let’s be like Jesus.

If you’re looking for ways to come closer (as an individual, family, church, or organization) and be a part of addressing the deep needs in the Spartanburg area, you can find ways to connect listed here on our website: www.comecloserspartanburg.com

8 TIPS FOR MINISTERING TO THOSE IN GREAT NEED

1. Come closer. 

Make a decision to move towards the need. Why? Because some of the greatest needs that exist in your geography may not be in the path of your everyday life. Desperate, hurting people and communities often exist within a few minutes of where comfortable Christians live, work, and play.

And here’s another reason to come closer. It’s what Jesus did for us. It’s what he modeled for us. Jesus stepped out of great comfort into the midst of great need to reach those of us who were on the outside of hope looking in. 

2. Pray. 

Sustained, effective ministry among those in poverty or great need requires a power greater than our own. I recall hearing the story of a Seminary professor who took his students to a graveyard and gave them one assignment for the day. He said: "I want you each to raise just one person from the grave." The students were bewildered and confused. One student finally said to the professor: "That's impossible. We can't raise anyone to life." The professor responded: "And don't you forget it."

If you hope to see people come to Christ, and be raised to new life both spiritually and socially, overcoming the many obstacles in front of them, you need to pray.

3. Know your role. 

Your role is not to be anyone’s Savior. Your role is to point people to the Savior. Make no mistake. God has sent a Savior. It’s just not you. And it’s certainly not me.  Understanding that will keep you within the bounds of healthy missional work. It will protect your heart and will protect you from overestimating the degree to which other people “need you.” If we don’t know our role, then often we begin to do too much for people. We work harder at the change in their life than they do. We foster a dependency on us rather than a dependency on the Lord. They don’t get better. And we become bitter. 

4. Filter your biases. 

It’s easy for people to confuse their culture, their politics, and their social views with their Christianity. Be careful that you aren’t seeking to convert people to your culture, but to Christ. Jesus is not white. He’s not black. He’s not American. He’s not a Republican. He’s not a Democrat. And His gospel will blow up many of our ways of seeing and treating people. Spend some time learning how to identify your unbiblical biases and prejudices so you can better understand, love, and minister to others. 

5. Partner with others. 

I discovered many years ago that almost every door we knock on in certain neighborhoods opens to reveal tremendous need. Most households contain enough spiritual and physical need that it could occupy months or years worth of time, energy, and investment by people who want to love their neighbor. You can’t be everything a person needs. You aren’t supposed to be. You don’t have to be. Our community is blessed with resources. We can do more for a person by learning where resources are and pointing people to what already exists than trying to be everything for everyone. It takes a village. 

6. Help in a way that is actually needed.

A local meeting was called in my community some time ago. Faith leaders wanted to have a large event to address a community need. When the idea was presented to the community leader whose people would be a recipient of this "help," he respectfully asked that we do something different. The need people wanted to address was not a need that existed. Much to my disappointment, the next day I received an email indicating that the event proposed would be going forward. But some in the room decided to meet the need that was requested we meet, rather than the one initially proposed. Help isn't help if it doesn't help. Effective ministry often begins with listening to those in need and those on the front lines who have been addressing the issues before us.

7. Respect and preserve the dignity of others.

It can't be emphasized enough that we must fight against even the slightest hint of arrogance in our own hearts. We aren't better people seeking to help lesser people. Consider yourself as the worst of sinners, who has been undeservedly showered with the mercy and grace of God in Christ. From that place of humility and gratitude, seek to come alongside others, not reaching down but reaching over, to share the experience, strength, and hope you've found in Christ. In every way, seek to build others up, pointing them to embrace their identity and potential in Christ. May the Lord and others increase as you decrease.

8. Minister differently. 

The kind of Bible Study, format, or program that you connect with and enjoy might not translate in a different cultural setting. Sometimes, Christians who love the Lord want to bring "their ministry" to a new community. Often, what is needed is an entirely different approach to ministry. If you bring Bibles, bring ones with large print because vision care is not usually available among those of extremely low or no income. If you want to sign people up for an opportunity, don't assume that people have access and know how to enroll through the latest app or online option. If you want to minister in a neighborhood, know the daily schedule pattern of most residents so you don't show up at a time few are awake or available. Things like this are simple, but important things to know. Ask around. Talk to other people who serve in the community. Learn how to and how not to do things.

These are just a few tips, and they represent just the tip of the iceberg. I hope they provide some food for thought. Feel free to reach out with questions about a ministry opportunity you're considering.