October 26th
Read: Matt. 5:43-48; Luke 10:25-37; Romans 13:8-10; James 2:1-8
LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR
Does he wave each time he sees you
As you work around your yard,
Or does he turn his shoulder
So your peace of mind is jarred?
Either way, friend, we must love him!
He’s our neighbor.
Does her interest and approval
Bring your heart a bit of cheer,
Or does her bent for gossip
Make you wish she’d disappear?
Either way, friend, we must love her!
She’s our neighbor.
Does he find a way to help you
When you’ve difficulty met,
Or do his hands keep grasping,
Taking all that he can get?
Either way, friend, we must love him!
He’s our neighbor.
Does she wear the latest fashion,
Always looking neat and clean,
Or does she look untidy
With her clothing frayed and mean?
Either way, friend, we must love her!
She’s our neighbor.
Has he power and affluence?
Does he own the grandest home,
Or is he poor and needy
With a tendency to roam?
Either way, friend, we must love him!
He’s our neighbor.
Are her manners poised and faultless,
Sweet and thoughtful all the way,
Or is she rude and clumsy?
Do her actions cause dismay?
Either way, friend, we must love her!
She’s our neighbor.
Does he conform to every custom?
Does he follow every rule,
Or do his off-beat actions
Make him seem a perfect fool?
Either way, friend, we must love him!
He’s our neighbor.
Is her face a thing of beauty
And her form a thing of grace,
Or is she plain and homely
With pimples on her face?
Either way, friend, we must love her!
She’s our neighbor.
If he is in no wise perfect,
If she’s missed the ideal mold,
If they fall short of God’s glory,
Well, we all fall short, I’m told.
Even so, friend, God can love us
And our neighbor!
In the light of Christ’s perfection
All these imperfections dim,
And we see but grace and beauty
When our hearts are full of Him.
Even now, Lord, give us grace
To love each neighbor.
Prayer: Dear Lord, sometimes I am so lacking in Calvary love to those around me. Please help me to love my neighbors as You do … unconditionally.