The Good Neighbor
"But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion."
LUKE 10:33
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The Good Neighbor
You do not need to ask what outward works you should do; look at your neighbor, and you will find [enough] to do even if there were a thousand of you! Only do not mislead yourself into thinking that you will reach heaven by praying and going to church, by [contributing to] endowments and memorials, if you pass your neighbor by on the other side [Luke 10:31-32]. If you pass him by here, then he will lie in your way there, so that you again must pass him by in front of the gates of heaven, just like the rich man who left Lazarus lying at his door [Luke 16:20].
From the Church Postil, sermon for Christmas Day on Titus 2:11-15 (Luther's Works 75:196)
LUKE 10:33
+
The Good Neighbor
You do not need to ask what outward works you should do; look at your neighbor, and you will find [enough] to do even if there were a thousand of you! Only do not mislead yourself into thinking that you will reach heaven by praying and going to church, by [contributing to] endowments and memorials, if you pass your neighbor by on the other side [Luke 10:31-32]. If you pass him by here, then he will lie in your way there, so that you again must pass him by in front of the gates of heaven, just like the rich man who left Lazarus lying at his door [Luke 16:20].
From the Church Postil, sermon for Christmas Day on Titus 2:11-15 (Luther's Works 75:196)
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