Les Dokimos



Look at your neighbour with Christ's eyes (Dokimos 19)

god-of-love.jpg

As Christians, we have to submit ourselves to the Word of God because Jesus said to his disciples : «If you love Me, keep My commandments. » (John 14:15). In the Bible, we can see a major command that every Christian shall obey: «You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself: I am the LORD. » (Leviticus 19:18). Despite of this fundamental precept, many Christians have difficulties to see their neighbour as themselves. Who is your neighbour? Maybe the person who is standing by your side, whether it is a neighbour, a foreigner, a colleague, or a passer-by… Certainly, it is easier to love the person we rub shoulders with or that we’re close to and to despise the one that we do not know. Yet, this behaviour does not make a “Christian” an accomplished disciple. Indeed, how would we see the difference between the disciple of Jesus Christ of Nazareth and the heathen? «For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? » Matthew 5:46. But the Bible clearly says : «He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. » (1 John 2: 9-11). It is important to know that once converted, the child of God regenerated by the Spirit of Christ, sees with the eyes of the Lord and no longer with the eyes of the flesh. «Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new » 2 Corinthians 5:17. God asks us to esteem our neighbor better than ourselves (Philippians 2:3). On the contrary, If we think that we are better than others, this is nothing else than pride - this is in total contradiction with the divine nature. A child of God is an integral part of the body of Christ which is an undivided whole. The Church of Jesus Christ is the Church of nations. It brings together men and women from all over the world under a single name: Jesus Christ of Nazareth. However, many Christians are affected by all types of divisions, even sectarianisms. «For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus. » (Galatians 3:26-28). Jesus Christ who is the light and the Word par excellence, gave us the power to become children of God. We have to realize that Christ had conquered everything at the cross: divisions, sects, separations, hatred towards others, discrimination, racism, contempt… All these things bound to the sinful nature of man fell when Christ was crucified (Romans 6:3-4). Once deprived of the old man, it is necessary to put on the new man in our heart and into our behaviour (Colossians 3.10). Christ’s nature has to urge us to reveal the Father’s heart. God is our Father, he has enough place in his heart to receive all those who will recognize completely Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

We have to see our neighbour as a soul that God loved so much and shed his blood for him. In Jesus Christ, there is no more distinction between races, social classes, ethnic groups, culture, customs, and even tradition. God looks at the heart and not at the outward appearance.

«But the LORD said to Samuel, “do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. » 1 Samuel 16:7.

New King James version.

1 comment
1 comment

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be visible.

  Notify me about follow-up comments

1 comment

  • Jerly   
    Jan. 25, 2016, 4:30 p.m.

    Thank you for this article!

    Reply