Let us remember that love is sacrificial action. It is a decision of the will to desire and work for what is best for that person (both for now and for eternity)
It first starts by noticing your neighbor
“Who is my neighbor?” A question asked of Jesus by one who wanted to excuse his neglect of neighbor
“Am I my brother’s keeper?” A question asked to God by one who wanted to abdicate himself from personal responsibility regarding the welfare of another
And seeing what they are facing
What pain
What heartache
What disappointment
What suffering
What oppression
What captivity
What injustice
And then working for their hope, their provision, their redemption, their deliverance, etc.
If they are in pain because of sickness, disease or injury, we pray for their healing, anoint them with oil in the name of Jesus, refer them to doctors and medical science.
If they are in heartache because of the loss of a loved one or a dream or a relationship, we sit and listen to them, we give them a shoulder to lean on, we pray for them.
If they are in disappointment because circumstances haven’t turned out like they thought we pray for and with them and share with them the promises of God and His heart to provide for them and give them hope and a future.
If it is suffering we should seek to discover the source of their suffering. We should seek to comfort them and pray for God’s relief in their life, but if we can offer relief through a blanket or food or water or medicine or companionship we also do that.
If it is oppression because spiritual forces of wickedness are accusing and belittling and condemning them, then we share the hope of Scripture and the promises of freedom in the name and power of Jesus.
If it is captivity that they are in because of addiction or human enslavement we seek to help them to be set free. We pray for their deliverance but we also work for them to be connected with addiction recovery tools, groups, counselors, etc but if it is human captivity we pray for their release and work for their deliverance through diplomacy and appropriate appeals to authority.
If it is injustice we must defend their cause, appeal as necessary to authority figures, pray for God to grant them relief and justice and in the meantime help to make sure that their basic (and spiritual) needs are still met while waiting for some manner of earthly justice and of course God’s perfect justice.
Pastor Michael Johnson 