how to love strangers

Blessings to you, the readers of this page, in Jesus Christ our Lord. May He guide you and protect you always.

How To Love Strangers

By Rev. Bill McGinnis, Director - LoveAllPeople.org

"Give them what they ask for; give them what they really want; give them what they need."

First, Give Them What They Ask For

When a stranger asks you for something, give it to him, unless you have a really good reason not to. This is the first and most important level of loving someone: give him what he asks for. Don't ask him why he wants it. Don't pass judgment on him or his motives. Simply give him what he asks for. This comes first. Make it your personal policy to grant direct requests: if somebody asks you for something, give it to him. Get in the habit of saying "Yes" to requests.

Jesus was very clear on this point:

         _____________________________________________________________
       
      "Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who
       wants to borrow from you." (Matthew 5:42 NASB)
       _____________________________________________________________

Now of course we see the impossibility of giving every person everything he might ask of us: we would quickly give away everything we have, and we would then be unable to provide for ourselves and our families. Or would we? There is a whole school of thought which says that The Lord will repay us for helping others - even strangers - if we trust Him to do so. To me, Jesus seems to be teaching exactly that. But others disagree.

Either way, our first impulse should be to help however we can whenever anybody asks us directly for help; just as we would like to be helped if we ask somebody directly for it.

Next, Give Them What They Really Want

Many times people are afraid to ask for what they really want. So after you have given them whatever they ask for, go a step farther and try to determine what they really want. The easiest way is simply to ask: "What do you really want?" Then, within your abilities, give them what they really want.

Give Them What They Need

Many people are reluctant to ask for help, even if they need it very much. We should learn to be sensitive to the needs of others and provide for them, even if they do not ask for our help. But be careful about assuming too much: sometimes they would really prefer to do it themselves rather than to accept our help. Many older people, for instance, do not want help in getting in and out of cars, even though they appear to need help. They would rather do it themselves.

Always Follow The Law Of Love and The Golden Rule

The Law Of Love fulfills all of God's law for mankind in this one saying, "Love your neighbor as yourself." The Golden Rule puts The Law Of Love into action: "Treat others as you would like to be treated." The Law Of Love and The Golden Rule are really the same idea, expressed in two different ways.

                             The Law Of Love
       For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, "You shall love your
       neighbor as yourself." (Galatians 5:14 RSV)
       And who is your neighbor? Everyone is your neighbor!
       See Luke 10:25-37, "The Good Samaritan"
                             The Golden Rule
       
      "So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for
       this is the law and the prophets." (Matthew 7:12 RSV)
       
                                     <><

But What About Preaching The Gospel? Doesn't That Come First?

Some Christians believe that everybody needs Jesus Christ more than anything else, therefore we should always preach the Gospel first, before we help people in any other way. What about that?

Yes, it is true that Jesus Christ is more important than anything else. But we should never use this fact as an excuse not to help people who have other needs of immediate high priority. If someone needs food, feed him first. Then tell him about Christ when he more inclined to listen to you.

# # #

See more pages like this, at our Index of Pearls Of Faith, a treasury of Biblical truths.

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May the Lord bless this presentation of His holy Word.

     Rev. Bill McGinnis  <><
     bmcgin@patriot.net

See more pages like this, at our Index of Pearls Of Faith, a treasury of Biblical truths.

Please also see our related pages . . .

CHRISTIAN
ETHICS & HUMAN RELATIONS
POLITICS & PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Sitemap

May the Lord bless this presentation of His holy Word.


     Rev. Bill McGinnis  <><
     bmcgin@patriot.net

See more pages like this, at our Index of Pearls Of Faith, a treasury of Biblical truths.

Please also see our related pages . . .

CHRISTIAN
ETHICS & HUMAN RELATIONS
POLITICS & PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Sitemap

Blessings to you in Jesus Christ our Lord.

    Rev. Bill McGinnis, Director - LoveAllPeople.org

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