Fear is one of the biggest roadblocks to being Christ to our neighbors. We must be bold and take bold steps to be the neighbors that we want to be. Fear causes us to close doors on the world around us, but we have to be willing to tear down walls.

Quality is more important than quantity. While Mary worshipped at Jesus' feet, Martha was hard at work around the house. While Martha was mad about what Mary was doing, Jesus actually said that what Mary was doing was a better use of time. Even doing something necessary can be a misappropriation of your time. Sometimes we can get so busy with our checklist that we end up missing the people around us. In the end, it’s about one thing - being like Jesus.

Today, we look at one of Jesus' most well-known stories - The Good Samaritan. God has placed you at a certain place, in a certain time, to serve certain people that are around you. Christians must take the great commandment seriously. But how well do we really know the people around us - our neighbors, coworkers and other acquaintances?

Paul had a thorn in his side and he said that God decided not to remove it. We can identify with that - sometimes we have burdens in our lives that, for whatever reason, God will not take away from us. But be proud of how Christ has made you! Accept your thorn, boast in your weaknesses. Your humility because of your thorn is a gift - own it. Because we know that God's strength is made perfect in our weakness.

Paul and Silas were in Rome, preaching the Gospel, even though it was against the law for them to do so. Like them, we must do what's right - even if we will be punished for it. Paul could have avoided jail at any time by staying quiet but he didn't. We need to defend the gospel at all times no matter what the consequences. To be like Paul is to be selfless, putting the needs of others above our own desires.

Is our acceptance of new Christ followers conditional? When Saul became a follower of Christ, God asked Ananias to come and pray over him so that he could regain his sight. Understandably, he was more than a little nervous to even be in the same room as this well-known serial killer of Christians. Is there a limit to the kind of person you would disciple? God calls us all to welcome everyone into the inheritance of Christ's family, no matter what they've done.

When Paul came face to face with Jesus, his life was radically changed. Afterwards, he needed other Christians to gather around him and encourage him. After we become Christians, we need Christian friends. We can’t afford to isolate new Christians from the body of Christ. And we definitely have no right to doubt what God has done in the hearts of others.

Having "a past" is inevitable - everybody has one. But you don't have to let your past define your future. The Apostle Paul didn't - he was party to the murder of Christians before he became one and called himself the "chief of sinners". No matter how rough your past is, you're not beyond grace, forgiveness and freedom. Paul showed us that we, ultimately, are the author of our story.

Don’t let your measuring stick get in the way of grace. The Jews back during the early days of the Church had a measuring stick centered around circumcision. They believed you had to do this step in order to receive grace. But God says there’s nothing we have to do to be under grace - it’s all about what he has done on the cross. It’s not about works, it’s about the heart. And now that we are under grace, we have been made new creations - the old has gone, the new has come!

Continuing from last week, grace requires that we not just share one another’s burdens but also share the good we have to offer. It’s our job as Christian to put good out into the world - this is the kind of sacrifice that pleases God. Each of us will reap what we sow - if we sow grace into others’ lives, we will reap the same. Choose good!