Why Loving Our Neighbor Is Essential to Following Christ
Injustice is everywhere—on the news, in our communities, sometimes even in our own families—and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or powerless. As Christians, we may recognize the brokenness of the world, but sometimes, in our good intentions, we focus more on praying, preaching, or teaching than on responding to the suffering and needs around us. The prophet Amos, a voice from the Old Testament, challenges believers to wake up and examine whether our faith is truly alive—or just empty words.
What Amos Has to Say About Justice
Amos wasn’t a professional prophet; he was a shepherd and a farmer who cared deeply about justice. God sent Amos to the people of Israel with a tough message: religious rituals and spiritual practices mean nothing if they aren’t backed up by love, compassion, and action. Amos saw people attending religious festivals, bringing their offerings, singing songs, but ignoring the poor, the oppressed, the widows, and orphans. Through Amos, God said, “I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5:21, 24)
In other words, God isn’t impressed by empty worship. He cares about what we do for others, especially those who are suffering or pushed aside. That’s a wake-up call for all of us. Are we living out our faith in ways that make a difference in the lives of others?
Prayer and Service: Two Sides of Faith
Prayer is central to our walk with God—it’s how we connect with Him, pour out our hearts, and receive guidance. But sometimes, as Chuck Swindoll points out in his teaching on Amos, we fall into the trap of making prayer a substitute for action. We pray for the sick, the needy, the lonely, but do we step out to bring them comfort, food, friendship, or relief?
James puts it bluntly: “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). If all we do is talk about our faith or pray about people’s needs but never get our hands dirty, what good is it? Real faith gets involved. It serves. It moves beyond the walls of the church to touch lives in practical ways.
Service Is More Than Church Chores
Service in God’s eyes isn’t just volunteering for church activities—though that’s important too. It’s about building each other up so we’re equipped to go out into the world and make a real difference. It means helping your neighbor, supporting a coworker who’s going through a tough time, standing up for someone who’s being treated unfairly, or simply offering a listening ear to someone who’s lonely.
The church is meant to be a training ground, a place where we learn how to serve and love, so we can carry that love beyond Sunday mornings. True service happens wherever people are—in homes, schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods.
Who Is My Neighbor?
Jesus answers this question in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). A “neighbor” isn’t just the person next door or someone who looks or thinks like us. A neighbor is anyone in need—regardless of nationality, background, or beliefs. When we help the hurting, stand up for the oppressed, or care for those who can’t care for themselves, we’re loving our neighbor as Jesus commanded.
Think about it: How often do we limit our kindness to those in our circle or those who share our faith? The call of Christ—and the message of Amos—is to break down those boundaries and see every person as someone loved by God, someone worthy of justice, compassion, and respect.
Physical and Spiritual Needs Matter
God cares about every part of a person—not just their soul, but their body, mind, and circumstances. When Amos rebuked Israel, it was because they neglected the poor, cheated the vulnerable, and lived in comfort while others suffered. God’s justice is holistic. He wants us to care for both the physical and spiritual needs of those around us: providing food to the hungry, shelter to the homeless, friendship to the lonely, and hope to the hopeless.
It’s not enough to share the gospel in words; we must also show it in deeds. The two go hand in hand. When we meet people’s practical needs, we open doors for spiritual conversations and demonstrate the reality of God’s love.
Getting Practical: Living Out Justice and Service
How do we move from good intentions to real action? Here are some simple ways to start:
· Pay Attention: Look for needs around you—in your street, your workplace, your school, your community. Listen to people’s stories. Sometimes, the greatest ministry starts with noticing someone who feels invisible.
· Get Involved: Volunteer at local shelters, food banks, mentoring programs, or advocacy groups. Service doesn’t have to be complicated; small acts of kindness add up over time.
· Speak Up: Use your voice to stand for justice, even when it’s unpopular. Whether it’s advocating for fair treatment, inclusion, or mercy, God calls us to be courageous.
· Build Relationships: Real change happens through relationships. Don’t just do something “for” someone; invest in genuine friendship and become a neighbor in the deepest sense of the word.
· Pray AND Act: Pray for wisdom, compassion, and strength—but let your prayers motivate you to get involved. Ask God to show you specific ways to serve and love those around you.
Why It Matters
If our faith is only about rituals, routines, or spiritual talk, it misses the heart of God’s mission. The story of Amos reminds us that God is deeply concerned about justice, mercy, and kindness. He wants us to be people who care for the vulnerable, stand up for the oppressed, and bring practical help to those in need.
Prayer and service are not opposites—they’re partners. Prayer fuels our service, and service gives our prayers meaning. When we combine both, we reflect the love and justice of Christ to a world that desperately needs it.
Conclusion: The Call of Amos Today
So, ask yourself: Who is my neighbor? What are their needs? How can I be God’s hands and feet in my community?
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking spiritual work is more important than loving people. God calls us to both. Let’s be people whose faith is alive—alive in prayer, alive in service, alive in justice. Let’s let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream, and let our love for God show in the way we love others.
The world is watching, and more importantly, God is watching. Let’s make our faith count—not just in what we say, but in how we serve.
Minister A Francine Green
September 2025
afrancinegreen.com 