Matthew 22:39
“And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Today’s post is all about loving your neighbor!
Neighbor, in this passage, not only means the person who lives next-door to you, but every person that you encounter in your life. That means coworkers, people in the grocery store, people in your church, family members and friends. Everyone and anyone in your life!
How do we love our neighbor as ourselves? We’ve already talked about how to love ourselves based on the love that Jesus has for us. We must also love our neighbor like Jesus loves them.
What about that really difficult person who makes it super hard to love? Ask the Lord to help you see them like He sees them…through eyes of love. A kind word, turning the other cheek, and having patience are all great ways to show the love of Jesus with a challenging relationship.
Now let’s examine the other side of the relationship coin…
As most of us know, it is very important to not become offended by other people, but let’s conduct a self-examination, a behavior evaluation, if you will. Are you the one causing the offense? We can also be the difficult one in a relationship. Jesus addresses this problem in Matthew 18:7:
“Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
That word “woe” means great sorrow. Yikes! That sounds pretty serious to me.
Are you kind and considerate in what you are saying, how you acting, and how you are thinking about your neighbor?
Thoughts go before actions. Are you thinking loving, kind thoughts about those you encounter or is your mind filling up with criticism, prejudice and judgement towards them? Are you gossiping about them behind their back? Do you ignore them or speak snide, condescending words to or about them? Do you think you’re better than them, smarter than them and then respond accordingly? Do you have socioeconomic or racial prejudices?
Here is a non-exhaustive list of ways to love our neighbor:
- Pray for them!
- Act wisely towards them (consider feelings, different points of view, etc)
- Have fruitful conversations, not idle, gossipy talk
- Be hospitable. Invite them over or treat them to lunch!
- Show compassion. Show up for them.
- Be generous. God loves a cheerful giver!
- Listen! Don’t monopolize the conversation!
- Don’t gossip about them or others to them!
- Be patient…not everyone thinks the same as you!
- Talk to them about Jesus if they don’t know Him!
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