Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning. Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I AM the LORD. Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour. Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I AM the LORD. (Lev. 19:13-16)
God repeated the principles of the 5th through the 10th Commandments as He spelled out some specifics in their relations with other Israelites and the strangers within their gates. These principles and statutes would also apply to those they had dealings with who were not Israelites or their guests. Since all people are created in His image, He expects all who follow Him to treat everyone as they would want to be treated. God called for upright practices in business, help for those who were handicapped, fairness and impartiality in justice and judgment, and righteousness in all relations with other people because God is righteous and He is God alone.
Just as God called the Israelites to treat everyone with respect, fairness, and impartiality, as they would want to be treated, God calls us to love our neighbor as ourselves. We are to care for those who are handicapped, treat workers and customers with respect, judge with righteous judgment, and be fair and equitable in all our dealings and relationships. For the child of God we are to remember that all people are made in His image and that He died for all mankind. We are to love them enough to tell them of His love, mercy, and grace, and respect them, even if we disagree with what they do as lost people. Those not in Christ will not do as they should for they are lost and in need of the Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our lost neighbours need to repent of their sins and put their faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary for forgiveness and reconciliation with the Father.
God has sent those of us that know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet