Who Is My Neighbor: Bridging the Gap Between Emancipation and Equality (Part 2)

In “Who Is My Neighbor: Bridging the Gap,” we ask what it means to truly see, hear, and love our neighbors beyond words and good intentions.

 

When Freedom Isn’t Enough

In the first article in this series, “Who Is My Neighbor: A Spiritual Reflection on Juneteenth,” we explored the story and significance of Juneteenth—how freedom delayed is still an injustice, and how loving our neighbor begins with listening.

But freedom alone isn’t the finish line.

• Emancipation may have been declared in 1863, but it wasn’t fully realized in Galveston, Texas, until 1865.
• Even then, equality wasn’t granted—just the legal permission to begin pursuing it.
• More than 150 years later, we still wrestle with what it means to bridge the gap between liberty and belonging.

For many, the delays have not just been historic; they’ve also been personal, relational, and spiritual.

God’s heart doesn’t stop at a proclamation. He longs for complete healing and restoration. Even today, though many policies are in place to protect every person, hurt still exists. Misunderstanding still lingers. And sometimes, we struggle to know how to respond.

Today, we’re asking a different question: What does it look like to not only celebrate freedom, but to also stand in the gap by loving our neighbors more fully?

When Silence Shouts

I used to say I was “color blind.” I meant well. But I’ve learned that phrase can be painful to those who feel unseen. I’m truly sorry.

God created diversity and differences on purpose. A garden full of color is more beautiful than one filled with just a single shade. When we ignore those differences, we miss the depth of God’s creativity and the richness of each person’s story.

Sometimes silence isn’t quiet—it speaks volumes. When we avoid the conversations that matter, it can feel like we’re avoiding the people who matter.

As my friend K once told me: “Neutral means you’re choosing not to see what I’m going through.”—K.

That statement stuck with me.

I’ve also had friends share stories that broke my heart—being stopped or singled out simply because of how they look. As my friend and coworker Austin shared,

“I don’t want to be another hashtag someday.”

That’s a personal statement.

Even if you haven’t witnessed injustice firsthand, it doesn’t mean others haven’t felt it.

Here’s our invitation to respond:

• Loving our neighbors means we don’t look away.
• Loving our neighbors means we lean in and listen.
• Even when—especially when—it’s uncomfortable.

The Samaritan Stopped

Remember the Parable of the Good Samaritan? In Part 1, we challenged, “Who is my neighbor?” Let’s look at that story from a different angle (Luke 10:25–37).

A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho when robbers attacked him and left him for dead. Two Jewish religious leaders—a priest and a Levite—walked the same road. Did they stop?

No. They crossed to the other side of the street to avoid getting involved. They chose silence and distance.

Then a Samaritan came along. Remember, Samaritans and Jews were cultural enemies. But this Samaritan stopped. He cared for the man’s wounds and took him to a place where he could recover.

He chose:

• Words over silence
• Action over indifference
• Compassion over convenience

As Austin noted, “You can’t pick and choose when you want to be a neighbor.”

Seeing People Through God’s Eyes

The Samaritan saw the wounded man the way God sees us—with mercy, compassion, and dignity.

So, how does God see you and me? With grace, immeasurable love, and tender care. And He calls us to see others the same way.

Are we willing to ask God to shape our perspective?

Let these verses remind us of love’s response:

• “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2 ESV).
• “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude” (1 Corinthians 13:4–5 ESV).
• “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32 ESV).

Bridging the Gap Starts with Us

As believers, we are not called to stand back—we’re called to stand in.

I searched for a man among them who would repair the wall and stand in the gap before me on behalf of the land so that I might not destroy it, but I found no one (Ezekiel 22:30 CSB).

In every generation, someone must be willing to stand in the gap.

History gives us powerful examples:

• Harriet Tubman, who risked her life to lead others to freedom
• W.E.B. DuBois and Langston Hughes, who used the written word to affirm dignity and awaken awareness
• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who preached the Gospel of justice and nonviolence even when it cost him his life
• Viola Liuzzo, who volunteered to help transport marchers back to Selma, AL after their march to Montgomery. While driving, she was shot and killed by members of the KKK.

These men and women didn’t walk away from hard truths. They stood up, spoke out, and reached across the chasm to stand in the gap for their brothers and sisters.

When we know better, love calls us to do better.

 

How can we stand in the gap today?

• Initiate grace-filled conversations, even when it’s awkward.
• Listen with humility instead of defensiveness.
• Speak the truth in love, even when silence feels safer.
• Honor the stories of others, even when they challenge your own.

Neighborly love builds bridges, not walls.

…

Cowritten with Austin Smith.

Ready to dig into more of what it means to be a good neighbor as a Jesus follower? Faith meets real life here. Discover more stories and tools to help you thrive.

Click here to read Part 1, “Who Is My Neighbor: A Spiritual Reflection on Juneteenth.”

Look for Part 3, “Who Is My Neighbor: Liberty for All in God’s Upside-Down Kingdom” coming July 3.