In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus tells us the great commandment. The second one says we are to love our neighbor as thyself. So ‘Who is my neighbor?’
Loving one’s neighbor is more than simply loving those who are like us and who can love us in return. Jesus had no respecter of persons. He even said; to love your enemies, do good to them, which hate you. For if, you love them which love you, what thank have you? For sinners also love those that love them (Luke 6:32).
We must love ourselves, that is, we must have a due regard to the dignity of our own nature. Our neighbor is not those only in our family or neighborhood we live in, but people of various denominations, race, and ethnic background. Jesus was criticized for the example he set to loving others. It is important to understand what true love is. We love people by genuinely seeking what is best for them. (Pause and think about that) Loving others does not mean agreeing with everything they say or do, nor does it mean acting in ways that always gain their approval. Loving our neighbors means attending to their needs—both physical and spiritual. We love our neighbors when we, like the Samaritan in Jesus’ parable, have compassion for them and help meet their needs as we are able. We love our neighbors best when we share God’s truth with them.
He gave us a commandment in John 13:34 ‘A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another as I have loved you.’
Our neighbor is thus anyone in our proximity with whom we can share God’s love. We are called not only to love those who are similar to us or with whom we are comfortable, but all whom God places in our path. Jesus is our example of walking in love. Remember the woman at the well. She was a Samaritan, yet Jesus was waiting on her to bless her (John 4:7, 9).
Love is kind and so much more. Read 1st Corinthians 13:4-8 and put love into action.
