Feb 12: Insight Post by Rusty Coram

  -   February 12, 2025

Love Requires Action: The Good Samaritan didn’t just feel pity for the injured man, he took action to help, binding his wounds and ensuring his care. Jesus calls us to put our love into action, actively caring for those in need.

Wednesday Verse

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7 (NLT)

Wednesday Questions

How can I move beyond good intentions and take concrete steps to help those around me who are in need? In what specific ways can I put my love into action and actively 

Wednesday Insight Post
by Rusty Coram

This story has inspired many, infuriated some, and indicted others. The kindness and mercy of the Samaritan inspired the name Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian relief organization that goes through the world and helps people of all backgrounds, in Jesus’ name. Some who heard this story first-hand would have dismissed it as soon as a Samaritan was made the hero – Jews and Samaritans had long held animosity against each other, similar to the hatred we see today among the people in Israel and Gaza. But for some, this story serves to expose how religious practice could actually be a barrier to being faithful to God. The Priest who came upon the seriously injured man stayed far away and avoided him. The temple assistant went closer to the man but avoided him, too. Jesus is using both religious leaders to illustrate how we can justify not loving others by using religious excuses. Had the man been dead and either of them touched him, they would be ceremonially unclean for several days and not be able to attend to temple duties. They were unwilling to risk that for the sake of their “positions.” Neither took the time to think or pray about the situation. How would they want someone to act if the situation was reversed? How did God want them to respond to such a serious need? The odds are that neither wanted to get involved and risk being unclean or similarly attacked, so they justified their non-action with a religious excuse.

As a very new follower of Jesus, I memorized Proverbs 16:2: “We can always prove we are right but is the Lord convinced?” (Living Bible) Over the years, God has used this to prick my conscience when I am trying to justify something I want but have not sought God’s guidance about. Showing love and mercy to others is a top priority for God and should be the standard operating mindset for those who follow Him. Being inconvenienced or interrupted should never be automatic excuses that get in the way.

“No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good,
and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God.”
Micah 6:8 (NLT)

Rusty Coram
Senior Pastor

New Hope Church
Lorton, Virginia
www.newhope.org