Ultimately, all of you should be united in spirit, showing empathy towards one another, loving as brethren, being compassionate, and courteous, not repaying harm for harm or insult for insult, but rather offering blessings, knowing that you were called to this, so that you may receive a blessing. -1 Peter 3:8,9

Several days ago, I was viewing Christian videos when Jason Crab’s “Somebody Like Me” began to play. I am uncertain if you have had the opportunity to watch this video or merely listen to the song, but if you have not, I encourage you to do so. The first instance I heard the song was in 2010, and I couldn’t help but think that every church and every individual who identifies as a Christian should be heeding the lyrics of this song.

The scripture passage above instructs us to be compassionate, courteous, and to refrain from retaliating with wrong for wrong. In Jason Crab’s song “Somebody Like Me,” he narrates the experience of a man labeled as a drunkard entering the church, reeking of alcohol, and how congregants whispered about him and distanced themselves when he took a seat as the choir performed “Amazing Grace. ”

In the early 1990s, I had a homeless individual who visited my restaurant daily; he would engage in small tasks like sweeping the area or taking out the garbage in exchange for a few dollars. One day, I decided to inquire about the circumstances that led him to his current situation. With tears in his eyes, he recounted that he had not always been in such a state; he once had a family and a respectable job. He mentioned a daughter who resided in another state and was unaware of his living conditions. It was after his wife’s passing that his life began to unravel; he ceased to care for himself and his lifestyle. I asked him why he did not contact his daughter and stay with her until he could regain stability. With tearful eyes, he replied that she had her own family, and he did not wish to burden her with his troubles. He stated that the reason he drinks and becomes intoxicated is that this is what everyone around him engages in, and by doing so, he feels a sense of belonging.

After conversing for a while, I prepared him some lunch as I usually did before he departed, but this occasion was different. This time, before he left, he requested to borrow a substantial sum of money. I did not hesitate; I recognized it was the right course of action, so I lent him the money. Weeks passed, and he never returned seeking work or a meal, leading me to question whether my decision had been correct.

A few additional weeks passed, and he reentered the premises, no longer as a destitute drunkard but as an individual with gainful employment, embodying pride and dignity once more. He had utilized the funds, transformed himself, and secured a position as a dishwasher. Although the role did not offer substantial compensation, it provided him with an escape from the streets and a pathway toward reconstructing his life. All he required was a supportive hand, and I felt fortunate to be that uplifting presence he needed, ensuring that I did not overlook his circumstances.

Scripture instructs us that we are called to be a blessing in order to inherit a blessing. While you may not be able to assist someone financially, you can still offer blessings through your words, your time, and your treatment of them. In the song “Somebody Like Me,” a portion of the chorus states, “All he really needs is for someone to wrap their arms around him, and that someone is me. ”

Numerous scriptures articulate how we should interact with others and extend generosity to those in need. God communicated to Abraham, “I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. ” This principle remains valid for us today, as we are the descendants of Abraham, and God will bestow blessings upon us so that we may bless others. However, if we choose to be self-centered and ignore the needs of others, we hinder the blessings God has reserved for us.

We understand the essence of true love because Christ sacrificed his life for us, and we, too, ought to surrender our lives for our Christian brothers and sisters. Nevertheless, if anyone has sufficient resources to live comfortably and observes a brother or sister in distress yet declines to assist, how can God’s love reside in that individual? Let us not merely profess our love for one another; let us genuinely demonstrate it through our deeds. It is through our actions that we recognize we are living in truth, instilling confidence when we stand before the Lord, even if our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts and is aware of everything. If our conscience is clear, we can approach God with bold assurance and will obtain whatever we ask because we adhere to him and fulfill that which pleases him. This is his commandment: we must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he instructed us – 1 John 3:16-23.

When an individual crosses the threshold of our church or enters our lives, irrespective of their ethnicity, attire, or history, and regardless of their cleanliness or need for personal care, we should consistently strive to make them feel embraced and extend assistance should they require it. You may be astonished at the impact that a small act of kindness can have on someone’s day; that individual could be on the brink of ending their own life, yet the words you shared with them might have swayed their decision, as they sensed that someone genuinely cared. Alternatively, that simple gesture of a hug or a reassuring hand on their shoulder conveying that Jesus loves them could have been precisely what they required to invite Christ into their existence.

We can never truly ascertain an individual’s circumstances and how our gesture of kindness may influence them, nor can we predict how it will resonate within our own lives. Hebrews 13:2 cautions us to remember not to neglect showing hospitality to newcomers, for there are those who have unwittingly offered sanctuary to angels.

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