Jesus gave us a pretty clear instruction: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:37-39 ESV).
It sounds simple enough, right? Love God wholeheartedly and treat others with the same care and consideration we give ourselves. This commandment is foundational to Christian faith, echoed throughout the Gospels and the Old Testament (You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord. [Leviticus 19:18 ESV])
But as we navigate the complexities of modern life and observe the interactions within the Christian community and its engagement with the wider world, it begs the question: have we truly internalized and consistently practiced this second great commandment?
Where Did We Go Wrong?
Sometimes, it feels like the "neighbor" Jesus spoke of has become a much smaller circle than He intended. Remember the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). We might eagerly extend love and support to those within our own church walls, our immediate social circles, or those who share our specific theological viewpoints. But what about those with whom we disagree politically? Those who hold different lifestyles? Those who are of a different skin color. Those who are homeless. Those who come from different cultural backgrounds?
Have we allowed our differences to overshadow our shared humanity and our calling to love? Have we prioritized being "right" over being relational? Have we become more known for our judgment than our compassion?
Scriptural Reminders:
The Bible offers numerous reminders that challenge us to broaden our understanding of "neighbor" and deepen our practice of love:
Reclaiming "Love Your Neighbor"
Perhaps it's time for a renewed commitment to truly living out the commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves. This might look like:
Loving our neighbor as ourselves isn't always easy. It requires us to step outside our comfort zones, to challenge our assumptions, and to reflect the unconditional love of Christ. But it is the very essence of what it means to be a Christian. Let's strive to be a community known not for its arguments or its exclusivity, but for its profound and transformative love for all.
It sounds simple enough, right? Love God wholeheartedly and treat others with the same care and consideration we give ourselves. This commandment is foundational to Christian faith, echoed throughout the Gospels and the Old Testament (You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord. [Leviticus 19:18 ESV])
But as we navigate the complexities of modern life and observe the interactions within the Christian community and its engagement with the wider world, it begs the question: have we truly internalized and consistently practiced this second great commandment?
Where Did We Go Wrong?
Sometimes, it feels like the "neighbor" Jesus spoke of has become a much smaller circle than He intended. Remember the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). We might eagerly extend love and support to those within our own church walls, our immediate social circles, or those who share our specific theological viewpoints. But what about those with whom we disagree politically? Those who hold different lifestyles? Those who are of a different skin color. Those who are homeless. Those who come from different cultural backgrounds?
Have we allowed our differences to overshadow our shared humanity and our calling to love? Have we prioritized being "right" over being relational? Have we become more known for our judgment than our compassion?
Scriptural Reminders:
The Bible offers numerous reminders that challenge us to broaden our understanding of "neighbor" and deepen our practice of love:
- The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37 ESV):
- "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35 ESV)
- "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." (Galatians 6:9-10, NIV)
- "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16 ESV)
Reclaiming "Love Your Neighbor"
Perhaps it's time for a renewed commitment to truly living out the commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves. This might look like:
- Active listening and empathy: Trying to understand perspectives different from our own.
- Extending compassion: Showing kindness and care to those in need, regardless of their beliefs or background.
- Seeking reconciliation: Working towards unity and understanding rather than division.
- Challenging our biases: Examining our own hearts and prejudices that might limit our love.
- Praying for our neighbors: Including those we find difficult to love in our prayers.
Loving our neighbor as ourselves isn't always easy. It requires us to step outside our comfort zones, to challenge our assumptions, and to reflect the unconditional love of Christ. But it is the very essence of what it means to be a Christian. Let's strive to be a community known not for its arguments or its exclusivity, but for its profound and transformative love for all.
RSS Feed