Jesus does not want you to be religious, He wants you to love Him and your neighbors!

Then Jesus answered and said: A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you. So which of these three do you think was a neighbor to him who fell among thieves? And He said, He who showed mercy on him. Then Jesus said to him, Go and do likewise.
Luke 10:30-37 NKJV
 
Jesus was speaking to a lawyer who asked, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life.”
 
Jesus answered, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” The lawyer said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all of your heart, with all of your soul, with all of your strength, and with all of your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
 
When Jesus told him that he had answered correctly the lawyer asked, “And who is my neighbor.” Jesus answered him with the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
 
What does it really mean to follow Jesus? Am I following Jesus? Do I live for Jesus or myself? Do I just worship God to meet my own needs?
 
I have gone to church almost every Sunday since I first met Jesus. I volunteer to help whenever I can. I read my bible every day. I pray for every person who comes to mind.
 
Jesus did not say anything about going to church, serving, reading the bible or praying. Those things in themselves do not please God. They do not save us.
 
It is relationship with Jesus that saves us!
 
God is pleased when we express our love for Him and each other in the way we live!
 
At the end of this parable Jesus says, “Go and do likewise!” Will you go and do likewise?
 
Will you answer God’s call to love His people? Will you reach out to the people Jesus wants to reach today?
 
If you have freely received the Love of God revealed in Jesus Christ will you freely give it to people who do not know Jesus?
 
The good Samaritan was not religious. He was compassionate. He cared about a stranger’s welfare. Jesus does not want you to be religious. He wants you to be compassionate. Jesus wants you to love Him and your neighbors!
 
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