America on the Brink

Conclusion and an Invitation The story of the Samaritan began with a question: “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” and ended with Jesus saying, “go and do likewise.” Saying that this passage is challenging is an understatement. Jesus does not say “go to church and you will inherit eternal life” nor “ask me into your heart, and you will inherit eternal life.” He says, “love your neighbor like this Samaritan” because, in the end, we are not just members of a congregation, we are disciples of Jesus and members of God’s kingdom that radically broke into the world 2,000 years ago. We are called to bear witness to principles and values rooted in self sacrifice, love, justice, and truth. We are called to resist powerful systems and people who oppose God’s sovereignty and conform us to the world. The call of the gospel means two things about being good neighbors. First, it means that churches have a responsibility to the world around them and all people, not just their families and fellow church members. Second, it means that our responsibility to neighbors near and far includes both stewardship and discipleship issues. These are things the gospel “demands” of us as followers of Jesus Christ, things we will give an account of before the Holy One on the day of judgment. Being a good neighbor is not something you can dismiss. It is a requirement you and I must wrestle with every single day as we take up the cross and follow Jesus, maybe the most difficult one Jesus gave us. Think about it this way. Christian discipleship means asking ourselves this question every day: “What do I have to do not to be like the priest and Levite to a neighbor in need?” Doing this will radically re-order things like our priorities, values, time, commitment, and finances. God used this trip to bring clarity to certain aspects of public faith I teach students at BSK and pastors across the country. I learned that new connections can be sources God uses to teach and encourage us in the work of justice. So, I want to invite you to make this connection as well. I plan to take a group of Christian leaders to the next session of Permanent Forum for People of African Descent. I want you to learn about the Forum and the United Nation’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. I hope to see some of 1. As members of this country and various institutions within it, what steps can we take to become more informed about the plight of neighbors near and far? 2. We cannot continue to have spaces that hide us from the devastating toll of suffering in the world. So, what would it mean to bring brief videos and visuals of human suffering into our churches and homes to disrupt the culture of blindness and callousness? 3. Getting informed about human rights issues is not optional for Christians. How can churches create mechanisms and partnerships that inform, educate, and engage their congregations and members of the community about the pressing issues of our times? 4. Some connections can be a waste of your time, resources, and spiritual energy. What are appropriate ways to align yourself with churches and organizations doing important work in the world? you soon in New York or Geneva. Questions for Further Thought

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