Verb: A word indicating action or state

When a lawyer asked Jesus, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 10.25) he already knew the correct answer as he quoted the Old Testament Law: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” To this Jesus commanded the lawyer to “Do this and you will live.” (Luke 10.28) Nothing speaks more clearly than action. Jesus tells the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10.25-37) to help us see the difference between knowing the Law and actually doing it. He expects us to DO the Law and we will live.

When the lawyer asks, “Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10.29) he unknowingly was asking HOW to live out the law. We know this because Jesus answers the question by asking, “So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves? And he [the lawyer] said, ‘He who showed mercy on him.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10.33-37)

Christian: A word indicating action or state

If we desire to live eternally with God in heaven, then we will not just know how Christ wants us to live, but we will actually do it. We must receive the words of Jesus deeply into our hearts, “Go and do likewise,” and become a people of action rather than remaining passive merely believing in Jesus. We must become a people who are known more for our mercy on others and not like the priest and Levite who “passed by on the other side,” when someone is in need – no matter who or what the need.

Christianity must become a verb!