We all know the golden rule: love your neighbor as yourself. Treat others the way you want to be treated. But what do we do when our neighbor is hard to love? In this 5-day Bible Reading Plan, you’ll take a close look at what God says about extending grace to others – even when it’s difficult.
LCBC Church
Day 1
Scripture: Luke 10:25-37
Who is Your Neighbor?
You’ve probably heard the golden rule: “Treat others the way you want to be treated.” Or as Jesus put it, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But When Jesus made this statement over 2,000 years ago, he was met with a question: “Who is my neighbor?”
Do you know who your neighbor is? Is it the people on your block? In your church? In your country? We usually think of our neighbors as people with whom we have something in common. Our neighbors are people “like us.”
But Jesus flips this script using a parable: A Hebrew man is attacked by thieves and left for dead on the side of the road. Several fellow Hebrews – including a priest – walk by and ignore his need. Eventually, though, a Samaritan sees the man and takes pity on him. He tends to his wounds and ensures he receives the care he needs. Samaritans and Jews had a hostile relationship, but when Jesus asks which person in the story was a neighbor, we know the answer.
Our fellow human beings are our neighbors – all of them!
Day 2
Scripture: Matthew 5:44
Hurtful Neighbors
Without a doubt, one of the most challenging aspects of following Jesus is learning to forgo bitterness and revenge in favor of forgiveness and love. There is a saying: “Hurt people hurt people,” and this is why it’s crucial to pray for those who do us harm. The patience and grace we demonstrate by remaining civil and gentle in the face of adversity speak louder than any grudge we hold.
However, when we have undergone trauma at the hands of others, the impact on our bodies and minds can be severe. Being told to simply forgive and forget feels insulting. It’s important to remember that God does not ask us to open ourselves up to further victimization or to pretend something awful didn’t happen. He just wants us to trust him with our recovery. We can trust that God’s justice will prevail.
It can be challenging to love those who are hostile, aggressive, or hurtful toward us, but Jesus calls us to respond with love and prayer. God will give us the strength to show love, even in difficult relationships.
Day 3
Scripture: Luke 10:27
Neighbors Who Are Different Than Us
During his earthly ministry, Jesus showed love to a wide range of people: Hebrews and Gentiles, men and women, the poor and the powerful. He went out of his way to eat and socialize with people who were looked down upon by society. Jesus let them know that he saw them, cared about them, and came to save them.
Our neighbors might have different backgrounds, beliefs, or lifestyles, but we are called to love them just the same. Embracing diversity and seeing others through God’s eyes allows us to build stronger, more inclusive communities. Don’t let superficial differences color your perception of others.
Remember, Jesus died for all people – even the ones who look, speak, think, and behave differently from us. He understands that all people have a lot more in common than we have differences. We all share a fallen world and we all need compassion and salvation. We all long to be loved and accepted. There is perhaps no better way to draw people into God’s church than by pouring out our love on them.
Day 4
Scriptures: Proverbs 9:17, Luke 3:11, Matthew 25:34-36
Neighbors Who Are Needy
Aren’t we all a little needy? Even if someone is doing okay in terms of money, there are other more hidden areas in which they go without. People might have food and clothes and somewhere to sleep, but they might not get enough love and attention. They might not get the acknowledgment of their kids or boss/coworkers. They might not have a good friend they can trust when times get rough.
Christians are called to charitable giving, but it’s important to think about giving to others in our daily lives too.
God wants us to be kind and generous to those in need, and he doesn’t want us to withhold care from anyone. Think about how you can help and support your needy neighbors, whether through kindness, support, or just being there for them. Remember, helping others honors God.
Day 5
Scriptures: Ephesians 4:32, Hebrews 13:3
Neighbors Who Have Made Mistakes
We all make mistakes, and God forgives us. But what about those people in our lives who have made terrible, unthinkable mistakes? This is when God calls us to show the same compassion that he shows each of us.
While it might be easy to forgive someone for a sin we can relate to, there are offenses we as a society deem unforgivable. While we should strive for justice, we can’t give up on hope for their redemption and care for their humanity. The difficult truth is that even those who have caused indescribable hurt and pain are still human beings beloved by God.
God’s love and forgiveness don’t always make sense by our standards. Think about how you can show the same grace and forgiveness to your neighbors who have made past mistakes. Practice radical kindness and understanding, remembering that God’s love and forgiveness cover all our faults.
We were all imprisoned because of our sins. Jesus forgave us and set us free. There is no one on earth beyond his redemption. It is our job to show everyone that love can break every chain.
Day 6
Scripture: Ephesians 4:2
Negative Neighbors
Have you ever known someone who can find the downside of every up? Being around a “Debbie Downer” can rub off on us. We might try to avoid them or point out their negativity – and sometimes we even fall into the same cycle of cynical thinking.
Dealing with negative attitudes is tough, but God calls us to be patient and loving. Think about how you can show humility and gentleness toward negative neighbors. Let God’s love fill you with patience and understanding, making room for their faults and responding with grace.