Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

Go and Do Likewise

PSALM 103:8-13 – The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.”

 

THEME OF THE DAY:  GO AND DO LIKEWISE.  The greatest thing having the most influence and impact in all our environments and relationships, no matter where they are; at home, in our neighborhoods, communities, churches, on the job, or who with; our families, friends, neighbors, Christians and co-workers is how much like the Lord Jesus we are becoming. Nothing matters more.  Nothing.  Such a statement reminds me of the famous quote from the 19th century pastor, Robert Murray McCheyne, “It is not great talents God uses most but great likeness to Jesus.”

 

In today’s scripture, we find such tremendous encouragement in how the Lord treats us.  And how does He?  Out of His character; His likeness even.  He is our God of mercy, grace, patience, and love.  As such, how does He treat us?  He does not deal with us according to our sins.  He maintains steadfast love upon us. He removes our sins so far from us they will not be brought back upon us. He shows great compassion to us.  Now how thrilling is that to our hearts and minds?  It is okay if you feel like shouting, “Amen, praise the Lord” about right now!   Yet we need to tie this into our opening paragraph and make application.  We will find it at the end of the easily recognized Parable of the Good Samaritan that follows.

 

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise” (Luke 10:25-37).

 

Being like Jesus. Acting like Jesus. Serving like Jesus, like the Good Samaritan.  May the Lord help us to follow their examples obeying His command, “You go, and do likewise.”

 

PRAYER: “Father, make me more like Your Son that I might represent Your Son more accurately and effectively.”

 

QUOTE: “The greatest thing we give our families, churches, neighborhoods, and world is our Christ-likeness.”

 

Because of Him,

 

Pastor Jim