Love Thy Neighbor As Yourself

What are some ways that you can show your neighbor that you love them?

You may be thinking I don't really know my neighbor or perhaps you do and you're not sure how you could possibly love them so I am going to challenge you to look for opportunities where you can offer them help without expecting anything in return. Over time this act of kindness will change your relationship for the better as you begin to gain their trust.

This post is filled with great Bible verses that show us exactly how to love our neighbors. I hope you will set aside time to really absorb God's words. If we live by these we can change relationships within our own families, churches, schools, work and even across the country.

Matthew 5:43-48 is a great reminder of how to love our enemies.

You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Mark 12:28-31 tells us the two most important commandments that we should follow.

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

Leviticus 19:9-18 is full of reminders of how to treat others.

When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the Lord your God. Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another. Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God. I am the Lord. Do not defraud your neighbor or rob him. Do not hold back the wages of hired man overnight. Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the Lord. Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly. Do not go about spreading slander among your people. Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor's life. I am the Lord. Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt. Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.

Our challenge is to get rid of excuses that prevent us from following God's law.

1 Corinthians 16:14 reminds us that we should always do everything in love and 1 Peter 4:8 says Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

So continuously check your motives and see what is preventing you from showing God's love to others. Don't try to justify your anger or hurt feelings, just sit quietly and think about what God would say to you in this moment.

Acts 20:35

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'

As Max Lucado says in his book Happy Today. "Love your neighbor as yourself. Let's put the command of Christ to the test. Let's make others happy and see if we aren't the ones who are the happiest."

Allow God's words to touch your heart & seek ways to follow his command, show kindness to everyone you come in contact with.

Written by: Jill Theriault

Crossroads Coaching - @crossroadscoachingongodstime