Question 1

Who is my neighbor?

Accepted Answer

Luke 10:29-37The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor 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.”Jews and Samaritans hated each other for a variety of religious and political reasons. Yet in Jesus’ parable, a Samaritan shows compassion to the Jewish man. Even people we deeply and passionately disagree with should be loved and treated with respect, especially in their times of need. A neighbor is anyone around us who needs help, mercy, forgiveness, compassion, or friendship.

Question 2

What are my responsibilities to my neighbor?

Accepted Answer

Deuteronomy 22:1, 3-4“If you see your neighbor’s ox or sheep or goat wandering away, don’t ignore your responsibility. Take it back to its owner. . . . Do the same if you find your neighbor’s donkey, clothing, or anything else your neighbor loses. Don’t ignore your responsibility. “If you see that your neighbor’s donkey or ox has collapsed on the road, do not look the other way. Go and help your neighbor get it back on its feet!”Proverbs 3:28If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”When a neighbor is in need, we should promptly and kindly respond with help.Ephesians 4:25So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.God expects us to be honest with our neighbors and always tell the truth, even when it is difficult.Romans 13:9-10The commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.James 2:8Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”After loving God, loving one’s neighbor is the next greatest commandment (Mark 12:31). When God made this command, he didn’t provide exceptions. We are to love all our neighbors, regardless of our differences.Leviticus 19:18“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”Romans 12:19-20Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”In biblical times, fires were essential for cooking and for warmth. If someone’s fire went out, it might be difficult to start one again quickly. In such instances, they would go to a neighbor’s house, and request coals from the neighbor’s fire. (Heaping burning coals on someone may not be an exclusively negative statement.) Even if our neighbor treats us badly, we should never stop trying to bless them.Exodus 20:16“You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.”Leviticus 19:15-17“Do not twist justice in legal matters by favoring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful. Always judge people fairly. Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people. Do not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is threatened. I am the Lord. Do not nurse hatred in your heart for any of your relatives. Confront people directly so you will not be held guilty for their sin.”We must treat our neighbors honestly and fairly. Lying and gossiping about our neighbors is unacceptable.Deuteronomy 5:21“You must not covet your neighbor’s wife. You must not covet your neighbor’s house or land, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.”We must be diligent against jealousy and coveting, or they will poison our relationships with our neighbors.Proverbs 11:12It is foolish to belittle one’s neighbor; a sensible person keeps quiet.We shouldn’t make fun of our neighbors.Proverbs 25:17Don’t visit your neighbors too often, or you will wear out your welcome.Proverbs 27:14A loud and cheerful greeting early in the morning will be taken as a curse!Our neighbors’ time and privacy deserve respect.Proverbs 3:29Don’t plot harm against your neighbor, for those who live nearby trust you.We should be careful not to break the trust of our neighbors.

Question 3

How should I live among my non-Christian neighbors?

Accepted Answer

Galatians 5:14The whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”Colossians 4:5-6Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.James 4:12God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?1 Peter 2:12Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.God calls us to treat our non-Christian neighbors with love and respect, live honorably and graciously before them, be an example of godliness, and refuse to reject them. If they don’t know God, we shouldn’t we expect them to live as though they do. Instead of condemning them, we should pray for them and win them over with kindness.

Neighbors