Image: see reference below, Creative Commons
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Love the stranger
(Deuteronomy 10:19; NKJV).
1. Be an instant friend
For strangers –
Everyone whose path you cross.
2. Be an instant friend
For strangers –
Those in trouble, need, or loss.
3. Be an instant friend
For strangers –
Helping is our sacred task.
4. Be an instant friend
For strangers –
Love is all our Father asks.
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References
1. See the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37; NLT).
2. Which of these three would you say was a neighbour to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same” (Luke 10:36-7; NLT).
3. I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me (Matthew 25:35-6; NLT).
4. Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:40; NIV).
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them (Romans 12:9; NLT).
Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all” (Mark 9:35; NIV).
In due season God will judge everyone, both good and bad, for all their deeds (Ecclesiastes 3:17; NLT).
Image:Â “Good Samaritan (detail) – Rossano Gospels – 6th Cent. – Folio 007” by jimforest is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
This is both simple and profound in laying before us “our sacred task.” We are called to a life of sharing Christ’s message of love, which we do not by preaching but by being an “instant friend for strangers.” Funny thing is I was thinking of this while out shopping yesterday; being kind in a simple way may be the last link in a chain of events that may lead to salvation of that soul? Thank you for being part of the answer Ruth, Amen.
Oh, Alan, I feel so honoured to be even a tiny part of your thought processes! I often pray that somehow I will do or say something that helps just one person to become a Christian during my lifetime. So I love your idea that just one loving gesture towards a stranger might be that last link that leads them to Christ. XXXXX