Loving Your Neighbor
by Court Abbott
I asked my husband to share his thoughts and experiences on loving our neighbors. I pray you are encouraged to really dive into this important topic. Carol
Consider the question, “Do you love your neighbor?” Does the word “neighbor” recall thoughts about the cantankerous person down the street, the sweet young family across the parking lot, or the partiers that live upstairs? If so, how you truthfully answer the question is more likely shaped by how much you like, rather than love, your neighbors.
Biblical Direction
However, let’s look at how the Bible encourages us to answer this question. In the Old Testament, the foundation for loving our neighbors Is found in God’s instruction to the Israelites, "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord" (Leviticus 19:18). This command for neighborly love was delivered as a mandate that formed the basis of the moral and social fabric for the entire Israelite community. Furthermore, I believe this act of neighborly love helped distinguish God’s people from other nations.
Later in Micah 6:8 we read, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Now the basis for loving our neighbor expands from simply not seeking a revenge or bearing a grudge to walking humbly with God while we act justly and love mercy. Who benefits from our acts of justice and mercy? It’s our neighbors, those we are in community with.
In the New Testament, Jesus, as He often does, shows us repeatedly that we should be viewing the Law and Prophets through a much, much larger lens. The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) clearly tells us that our neighbor may be someone who doesn’t think, live, or pray like us as it’s not the priest or Levite Jesus identified as the true neighbor. Instead, the true hero of the story is the compassionate traveler from Samaria who showed mercy to the desperate man by meeting his needs. And Jesus is clear in stating that we too should “go and do likewise.”
Being a Good Neighbor
How do we apply the “go and do likewise” direction from Christ in our world? Well for starters, I recommend asking God in prayer who we can be a good neighbor to. The easiest path would be those we already have a positive relationship with such as family members, friends, co-workers and neighbors. However, consider it a challenge to intentionally seek out someone different from yourself who could benefit from your God-honoring and loving display of justice and mercy. By simply lending an ear, or perhaps even a hand, you will find through your acts of kindness, generosity, and empathy that you have connected with someone you never thought possible.
Being a good neighbor requires the conscious decision to look beyond ourselves and prioritize the well-being of others. As we do this, new relationships are forged, people are encouraged, the watching world takes notice, and God is honored. And the final wonderful result of this intentional process is the first and greatest commandment being fulfilled to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 27:37-39).
My Personal Note: Nearly 18 months ago, I found myself in a place of wanting to step out of my comfort zone and serve my neighbors. Unsure of where to start, I looked at the local ministries our church supported. The Lord drew me to World Relief where I’ve had the opportunity to help, encourage, and even become friends with people from countries I’ve never been to. Through these relationships I’ve seen my new friends improve their English skills, get jobs, start a business, learn to drive, learn to swim, and build new lives. I’m thankful to have played a small role in their lives but am even more thankful for what they’ve taught me.
Pray
Lord, I love you and I pray that you strengthen me to love the neighbors you lead me to. Open my heart to others outside of my current social, cultural, and religious boundaries so that I may be a true reflection of your love in this world. Amen.
Question of the Week
Is there a “neighbor” the Lord has called you to love? How can you begin to fulfill that calling?
Encourage our community by sharing your response HERE!