by Dr. Chester Swor
May 24, 2008 (Saturday)
Chester Swor was always young at heart as he ministered to students his entire adult life. When he reached 70, he wrote a poem about aging which included these lines: “It’s great to look seventy in physical ways, if your heart’s twenty-one on down through the days!” He took his own advice and was, as they say, “forever young.” He came to our church in Rockport for a series of meetings in the early 80’s and I got to know him as one of the nicest people I ever met. He’s with the Lord today, and I’m sure he wouldn’t mind my quoting an article he wrote for the Mississippi Baptist Record many years ago. The title of the little essay was “Thy Neighbor as Thyself.” It went like this:
In Luke 10:27, Jesus said we are to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. What are some of the things we would love to receive from other people?
1. We would love to be understood. It hurts deeply to be misunderstood or misinterpreted.
2. We would love to be accepted (even if we are not “like” other people).
3. We would love to be complimented and praised when our achievements are praiseworthy.
4. We would love to be the recipients of patience from others when we are not proceeding as rapidly or fruitfully as others are.
5. We would love to be loved, even when we are not lovable.
6. We would love to be forgiven – promptly, gladly, and graciously.
7. We would like to be restored to love, respect and full acceptance if we have made mistakes which have disappointed or hurt others.
8. Add to this list the things which you know you so much want to receive from other people.
If these are the qualities which we would love to have from our neighbors, isn’t it both possible and realistic for us to be willing and eager to do the same for them?
Luke 10:27 (NIV) He answered: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”
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Note from Charles: I first heard Dr. Swor nearly 60 years ago as a college student. Is it any wonder he had such a successful ministry with thoughts like these in his sermons and writings?
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