Topical Bible: Love to Man: should be Exhibited, in Relieving Strangers

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The concept of love towards others, particularly strangers, is a fundamental tenet in Christian doctrine, deeply rooted in the teachings of both the Old and New Testaments. This love is not merely an abstract feeling but is to be demonstrated through tangible acts of kindness and hospitality.

Biblical Foundation

The call to love and care for strangers is first seen in the Old Testament. Leviticus 19:34 commands, "You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God." This directive underscores the importance of empathy and remembrance of one's own history as a basis for extending love to others.

In the New Testament, Jesus expands on this principle in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). Here, love is shown not just as a feeling but as an action, where the Samaritan aids a stranger in need, illustrating that love transcends ethnic and social boundaries. Jesus concludes with the command, "Go and do likewise" (Luke 10:37), urging His followers to actively demonstrate love through service.

Hospitality as a Form of Love

Hospitality is a key expression of love towards strangers. Hebrews 13:2 advises, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." This verse highlights the spiritual significance and potential divine encounters that can arise from welcoming and assisting those we do not know.

The early church exemplified this practice. Acts 2:44-45 describes the believers as having "all things in common" and selling their possessions to give to anyone in need, including strangers. This communal lifestyle was a testament to their love and commitment to living out Christ's teachings.

Practical Application

The call to love strangers is not limited to biblical times but is a timeless mandate for Christians. In Matthew 25:35 , Jesus states, "For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in." This passage emphasizes that acts of kindness towards strangers are acts of service to Christ Himself.

Christians are encouraged to look beyond their immediate circles and extend love to those who are different or unknown to them. This can be manifested through various means such as providing food, shelter, or companionship to those in need. The apostle John reiterates this in 1 John 3:18 , "Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth."

Conclusion

The biblical mandate to love strangers is a call to action, urging believers to reflect God's love through practical service and hospitality. By doing so, Christians not only obey God's commandments but also bear witness to the transformative power of love in a world often marked by division and indifference.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 25:35
And if your brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with you; then you shall relieve him: yes, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 25:36
Naked, and you clothed me: I was sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came to me.
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Library

On the Death of his Father.
... and bringing him back from fear to love, a far ... the Spirit were exactly known to the
man of the ... since it was necessary that the consecration should be canonical ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xviii on the death.htm

1 Timothy v. 15-Nov
... in this way only that I have shown My love to thee ... profession, is like woman betrothed
to a man, and then ... Downes, missing the sense, guesses it should be ekeinoi ...
/.../homily xv 1 timothy v.htm

Letter xvi. Charity.
... for us to obey the sacred injunction, "Love the brethren ... resemble the errands of
a churlish man, who never ... gaze, unless the good of others should require their ...
/.../a practical directory for young christian females/letter xvi charity.htm

Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... I come to you with a rod or in love and in ... A virgin's lips should never utter an
improper or an impure word ... a lascivious mind and by the outward man the faults ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... did not escape captivity; why then should Nineveh prove ... tribes about on their wanderings;
each man caught the ... to the villages from sheer love of destruction ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

The Memphite Empire
... his bearing: his whole appearance indicates a man accustomed from ... it was necessary
that three of them should be of ... thee.' His Majesty says: 'By the love of Ra! ...
/.../chapter iithe memphite empire.htm