"Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If  you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?" -- Proverbs 24:11-12

This last April in New York City a man was stabbed while saving a woman from an attacker. He lay dying in a pool of his own blood for more than an hour while several people walked past without calling for help. A surveillance video showed that some passers-by paused to gawk at Hugo Alfredo Tale-Yax and yet kept on walking. Many readers were horrified at the story, but how many would have done likewise?

The Scriptures call us to social responsibility. We might choose to steer clear of the inconvenient and excuse ourselves with such words as "... we knew nothing about this". But, however we settle our minds about the situation; the Lord knows and weighs our hearts. The story of the "Good Samaritan" in Luke 10:25-37 is in direct contrast to the above account. At the conclusion of his teaching Jesus simply stated, "Go and do likewise".

As a child of the King and recipient of his wondrous grace, how socially compassionate are you? Every day brings new opportunities to impact your community for Christ. When that broken life comes into your path, how will you respond? Will you do likewise as those who passed by? Or will you do likewise as the Good Samaritan? How will you make a difference for Jesus today?