Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Jim Greer
LW contributor
In a recent message featured on the church website ( www.churchofjesuschrist. org), Becky and Bennett Borden shared inspiring thoughts on loving like Jesus. The Bordens noted that our environment today is much like savior’s time, rife with social and political divisiveness. The issues of his day were deeply rooted in dark history and flawed cultural beliefs.
Christ traveled through Samaria, a place that Jews avoided due to a long-standing feud between cultures. Though Israelites, Samaritans were regarded as “others” by the Jews. So, when Jesus kindly greeted the Samaritan woman at the well, she was amazed to be treated as a daughter of God. His example of talking with her lovingly and truthfully is a pattern for each of us to follow.
The adversary tries to separate us into enemy camps, always ready to do battle. “But the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). We can live Christ’s example when meeting those considered political or cultural enemies, by lovingly greeting them as children of God. Our common heavenly parentage connects us and should be the starting point for all our relationships.
After his resurrection, Christ warned his people in the Americas, “the devil is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another” (3 Nephi 11:29). In response, the succeeding generation created a society where “there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift” (4 Nephi 1:3).
As followers of Jesus, we should actively draw closer to others, instead of distancing ourselves from the despised and shunned. In many instances Jesus challenged cultural norms and ministered to and blessed others. He didn’t wait for the right time to do good, Jesus chose “to do well” immediately (Matthew 12:12).
Throughout Scripture, we discover that when “Jesus put forth his hand” (Matthew 8:3), it was to heal, encourage, and share love and peace with others. Just as he did, we can draw near to those who seem different.
Though criticized for doing so, Jesus associated and dined with those who were shunned by society. He even called a “publican,” a hated representative of the ruling government, to serve with him. When Matthew hosted a feast for Jesus and his disciples, the scribes and Pharisees criticized them for dining with those they considered sinners. To which Jesus replied, “They that are whole need not a physician, but they that are sick” (Luke 5:30–31).
We’ve all heard the saying, “love the sinner; hate the sin.” Why not alter the phrase to say, “love the sinner; invite them to dinner?” We’ve all sinned “and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). So, why not create opportunities to serve others as Jesus did and share meals where God’s spirit is present? Surround your dining table with conversations of sincere kindness, genuine friendship, and intentional efforts to see and accept one another as Jesus would.
