How can we cultivate a heart willing to help others, as instructed here? A Surprising Command: Helping the One Who Hates You “If you see the donkey of someone who hates you lying under its burden, you must not leave it there; you are to help him with it.” (Exodus 23:5) Why God Gives This Instruction • He is compassionate by nature (Exodus 34:6). • He shows kindness to the ungrateful and wicked (Luke 6:35). • He wants His people to reflect His heart (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 5:44–45). The Inner Work: Cultivating a Willing Heart 1. Recognize every person as God’s image-bearer (Genesis 1:27). 2. Remember your own rescue: “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Gratitude softens indifference. 3. Invite the Spirit to shape your desires (Ezekiel 36:26–27; Galatians 5:22–23). 4. Practice empathy: “Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). 5. Choose obedience over feeling: willingness often follows the first step of action (John 13:17). Practical Habits That Train the Heart • Start small: assist a neighbor with a task before tackling bigger needs. • Keep margin in your schedule and budget for spontaneous acts of mercy (Proverbs 3:27–28). • Speak encouragement daily; words prepare you for deeds (Ephesians 4:29). • Serve anonymously at times to uproot the desire for praise (Matthew 6:3–4). • Memorize key verses—Galatians 6:2; James 2:15–16; 1 John 3:17—for quick recall when an opportunity arises. Watch Out for Common Excuses • “Someone else will handle it.” (Compare Luke 10:31–32.) • “They don’t deserve it.” Grace is, by definition, undeserved (Ephesians 2:8–9). • “I’m too busy.” Time belongs to the Lord; steward it, don’t hoard it (Psalm 90:12). The Ripple Effect of Obedience • It disarms hostility and opens doors for reconciliation (Proverbs 25:21–22; Romans 12:20). • It strengthens community bonds (Acts 2:44–47). • It bears witness to the gospel more loudly than words alone (John 13:35). Living Exodus 23:5 Today • When a coworker who dislikes you struggles with a project, step in to help. • If an online adversary faces hardship, offer practical support—meals, a donation, babysitting. • When you spot any “donkey under a burden” (car trouble, heavy grocery bags, emotional weight), move toward—not away from—the person. Cultivating a willing heart is less about waiting for the perfect feeling and more about consistent, Spirit-empowered acts that reshape desires until helping becomes your reflex and delight. |
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