We wrapped up our series on the church, called Ekklesia, with a story out of Luke 10:25–37, about the good Samaritan, a man who stopped to render aid to someone who had a different religion, nationality and culture than he did. A man that had been passed over by his is own countrymen and the people in his own religious group. This display of unconditional love literally saved this man’s life.

God intends for all believers to love and serve the people of this world, regardless of their background, history, religious or political convictions. He even wants this love and service to extend to those who are our global enemies. When the love of God encounters people, it has a way of turning things around from intellectual argument to a realization that we are all humans created in the image of God.

During this series, we talked about how the church is not a building, but instead it is the people. It is not adhering to some standards set by man, but instead the freedom to receive and give the love of God.

Let’s consider people and situations that he places in front of us today as opportunities to be the church. We will be people who encourage and bless others rather than those who continue to perpetuate the thought that church is irrelevant, and that people who go to church are hypocritical. There may even be a situation that he uses you to literally save a life.

Lord, today I commit to love and serve whomever you put in my path. I want to demonstrate kindness, grace, understanding, patience, peace, joy and goodness to everyone! Please make me an instrument of your love, so that people will no longer see me, but will see Jesus through me!