cultural differences

February 21 - Love People

Read: John 4:1-42

The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?" ( For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) (John 4:9 ESV)

Cultural, racial, and spiritual differences have existed for thousands of years, rooted in the inherent wickedness of men. Jesus ignored all of that the day he sat at Jacob's Well and chatted with the Samaritan woman. His willingness to ignore social taboos and ridiculous cultural differences gave him a platform by which he ministered to many people during his earthy ministry.

We should love people. All people. Regardless of ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or even religion. If we are to follow in the steps of Jesus we have to love that way. He did.

Sometimes that means crossing literal physical boundaries. Other times it may mean crossing cultural or social boundaries. The end result is always the same. It creates an opportunity to show the love of Christ to someone that is in some way different than we are. We have no right to judge the value of person simply based on their difference to us. Just thinking that way lends itself to incredulous arrogance.

Love people and love God. Let Him work out any changing on their part that might need to happen. Our job is just to help thirsty people discover the well of eternal living water that exists in Jesus Christ.