REMEMBER THAT YOUR NEIGHBOUR IS ALSO FLESH
Hebrews 5:1-4
Our text today tells us that priests, (ministers of God) are taken from among men. They are not angels. They are human beings who are also “compassed with infirmity”. They have their issues. They go through situations also. They have character flaws! They are not super human beings but ordinary people like you. If this is true about ministers, how much more that your spouse, friend or neighbor!
You must note that your neighbor is also flesh. He or she is a human being subject to same passions, faults and aspirations as you. You must note that the best of men have their weak point as much as their strong ones. So while dealing with men, put the following in mind,
- The man is limited by reason of mortality. Putting your trust in a mortal man outside of God is dangerous. Go the way of the Psalmist. Lift your eyes up to the Most High God. It is only from God that your help can come.
- Man can disappoint you for various reasons. He may truly want to help and be encumbered by genuine reasons. Some may not want to. You must prepare your mind for such.
- Give allowance for the human nature while entrusting man with your secrets. Your confidant also has confidants! Again, your friend today may not remain your friend in the future. If and when this happens, what happens to those secrets between you?
- Treat others the way you would want to be treated. Put yourself in the position of the other fellow. He also deserves respect, honour and confidence. Love them. Appreciate them. Help them, but within your means.
MEDITATION: Mark 12: 29-31“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. There is no commandment greater than these.”
