3-Day Bible Plan: How to Truly Love Thy Neighbor in Today’s WorldSample

• “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” —John 13:34-35
• “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” —Galatians 3:28
• “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” —James 1:19

Day 3: How to Love Your Neighbor When Race Creates Barriers
Let’s talk about race. It’s one of the most heated topics today, from the Black Lives Matter movement to debates over systemic racism, and cultural appropriation. It’s a tough conversation, and it often feels like no matter which side you’re on, things just keep getting more divided. How do you love a neighbor who holds views you find offensive, hurtful, or even downright wrong? It’s tempting to respond with anger or avoidance, but Jesus calls us to something radically different: love.

Remember! Every person on the planet is your neighbor. Loving your neighbor doesn’t mean agreeing with their views or excusing their behavior. Instead, it means choosing to see them as a person made in the image of God, someone Jesus died for just like He died for you.

Jesus was all about breaking down walls—especially the ones that divided people based on race, culture, and status. He didn’t just hang out with the people who were like Him. Nope, He reached out to the marginalized, the overlooked, and the oppressed, offering them a seat at the table (Luke 14:13-14). He showed us that love doesn’t have boundaries. In fact, in John 13:34-35, He gave us a simple but challenging command: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Notice that? Jesus didn’t add an asterisk for "only people who think like you" or "only people who share your background." It’s about loving everyone, no matter their race, culture, or background. The command to love goes way beyond just being nice—it means actively working against prejudice, not just in our actions but in our hearts. Remember Galatians 3:28? “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” In God’s eyes, we’re all equal, and that’s what love should look like. When we approach conversations about race and identity with this perspective, we shift from arguing to showing the love Jesus calls us to.

How to Turn a Race and Identity Argument into a Conversation That Truly Shows Love for Your Neighbor:

1. Listen and Seek to Understand

As hard as it may be, take the time to listen to them. Often, people’s harmful beliefs are rooted in fear, ignorance, childhood upbringing, learned behavior, or personal experiences. Understanding their perspective doesn’t mean condoning it, but it allows you to address them with compassion rather than judgment. We are Called to love the person not the lie. Reflect His grace and truth in every interaction.

"Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger." —James 1:19

2. Emphasize Unity in Christ

Remind them (and yourself) that as believers, we are united in Christ, regardless of our differences. We need to remember that we are all God’s children, created in His image.

"For we are all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body." —1 Corinthians 12:13

3. Pray for Peace

Prayer is powerful—not just for them, but for your heart as well. Pray for their eyes to be opened, their heart to be softened, and for God to work in their life. Ask God for the grace to approach them with kindness and patience.

"Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." —Luke 6:28

Loving our neighbor means seeing them fully, acknowledging their struggles, and walking alongside them. If we’re truly going to love like Jesus did, we’ve got to make sure that love has no limits—no matter the race or identity. True, Christ-like love doesn’t pick and choose; it shows up for everyone. When we love like Jesus, it’s impossible for the world not to take notice. Facts!

Now that we’ve finished Day 3, let’s give it all to Jesus. Let’s ask for His wisdom and peace as we learn more about How to Love Your Neighbor When Race Creates Barriers.

Here’s a video with a prayer about loving through disagreements on race and identity. Watch, reflect, and join in prayer as we ask Jesus to guide us toward unity.

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