Tag: love your neighbor
Imitate your Father (In Heaven)!
Scripture reading for March 11th: Luke 6
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Luke 6:35-36 “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
The prevailing teaching was one of ‘an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth!’ God’s people were to show restraint in paying back others who wronged them. But Jesus came along and changed the rules. He asked His people to show love to their enemies by doing good for them. If they were hungry, disciples should feed them. If they were thirsty, drinks should be provided. If they hit you on one cheek, the other was to be turned. The new rule was: “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31)
God, Himself, is kind and loving to the wicked and ungrateful! He provides rain from heaven, the earth and all its bounty for food, and meets the needs of even the atheist and satanist! He gives them grace–the opposite of what they deserve in hopes of drawing them to repentance. He promises to reward those who follow His example!
Observations for over-comers: All revenge belongs to God. It is His goodness that leads people to repent. God is kind and good to all to win some and we must imitate our Father! “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against on of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:18)
The greatest commandment!
Scripture reading for February 25th: Mark 12
Key scriptures for over-comers: Mark 12:28-31 “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.”
Religious people like to discuss theology and God’s word. It was no different in Jesus’ day. The teachers of this time had identified the ten Mosaic commandments and over 600 other commandment from the Scriptures. Each teacher had their own interpretations of the various laws and scriptures. One of these law teachers came to Jesus with an honest question: “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” Jesus did not hesitate for a moment, but identified two that comprised the greatest commandment: Love God completely and love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus taught that these two summed up all the laws of God. In loving God, we eliminate idolatry and giving God second place. We won’t profane His name or His day–the Sabbath. In loving our neighbor, we won’t murder, commit adultery, lie, steal or covet and we will honor our father and mother. This complete love fulfills the law.
Observations for over-comers: Love involves relationship–first with God and also with our neighbor and ourselves! Love never fails! “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness of His own name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:1-3)
Faith and Action works together!
Scripture reading for November 3rd: James 2
James warned earlier of the self-deception of hearing the word of God, but not obeying it. (James 1:22) He now brings further emphasis to this area of danger to believers.
Believers and church leaders in the Jerusalem church had a tendency to show favoritism. They were discriminating against the poor and showing favor to the rich. James pointed them to Scripture: “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love you neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” (James 2:8-10) James pointed out that showing partiality is judging someone without mercy. When we believe we are to love our neighbor as ourselves, we choose not to be partial!
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and will fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:14-17) If we truly believe something, we act on it. Mere lip-service is not saving faith! Many are self-deceived concerning their actual relationship with Christ. They know what He has asked of them, but refuse to do it. May the Lord deliver us from self deception!
The most important commandment!
Scripture reading for February 25th: Mark 12
As the earthly ministry of Jesus came to a conclusion, He was questioned by the Pharisees and teachers of the law. Their goal was to trap him and Jesus knew it. (Mark 12:15) These religious leaders were hypocrites! They claimed to love God and love their neighbor, but they were seeking to kill Jesus. He was the Son of God and their neighbor! Jesus answered their questions and amazed them at His simple wisdom and ability to answer.
One of the teachers of the law asked Jesus, “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 you 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.” (Mark 12:29-31) Jesus answered this teacher with simple truth and the man agreed! Jesus told him that he was not far from the kingdom of God.
This man was close, but still could not get into the kingdom by keeping this great commandment. Only Jesus Christ, the Son of God, perfectly loved God. He demonstrated this love by keeping all the commandments. He, alone, has loved God with all His heart, soul, mind and strength. He, alone has loved His neighbor as Himself! In faith in Jesus Christ we are given the righteousness that we need to enter the kingdom of God. (2nd Corinthians 5:21) Strive to love God and obey Him but believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved and given the keys to God’s kingdom!
Be a Neighbor!
Scripture reading for April 3rd: Luke 10:13-37
Jesus was tested by a teacher of the Law with a question. “Teacher,” he asked, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” He replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all you strength and with all your mind’, and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” (Luke 10:25-27) This teacher had done a good job of distilling the Law of God into a concise statement of love and relationship. However, he had one more question for Jesus: Who was his neighbor?
Have you ever thought about that question? Is our neighbor simply the man or woman next door? Could my neighbor be someone I may not even know or like? It is one thing to know the command to love our neighbor but quite another to put it into practice consistently.
Because of sin we are centered on ourselves. We love ourselves pretty consistently by giving ‘self’ what it wants or feels it needs. God used the statement ‘love your neighbor as yourself’ because everyone would understand the love of self. Now to define a neighbor, Jesus told a story of a man who was robbed and beaten, laying beside the road naked and half-dead. Passing him by was a priest and Levite. A Samaritan happened by and took time to bind up his wounds and care for the man. Jesus asked the teacher of the Law which one of the three proved to be a neighbor to the wounded man. He responded with the obvious answer. (Luke 10:30-37) Jesus told the law expert to go and do likewise.
Being a neighbor where ever you are to those around you is what Jesus taught. The law of loving your neighbor involves doing to others what you would like them to do to you if you were in need. It shows no respect for persons and is not prejudiced. This love seeks to do what is best for the person in need near us. It comes from the heart of God and fulfills these great commandments of Scripture: “Love God and love your neighbor!” Be careful to be a good neighbor today!
The most important commandment?
Scripture reading for March 5th: Mark 12:18-37, Psalms 48:1-14, Proverbs 10:26
Men are always trying to reduce the requirement to get into heaven to a simple formula. They seem to want to find the line that God requires and then get as close to it as possible and still maintain their freedom to do as they please. Instead we should be seeking complete obedience with joyful and thankful hearts!
“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.” (Mark 12: 28-31)
Jesus did not give this teacher one of the ten commandments that he may have been expecting. Instead, Jesus gave this man the greatest commandment. It is the law of love that God Himself set in place and which, if kept, can fulfill all the requirements of the ten commandments. Loving God involves keeping the commandments. “Whoever has My commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I too will love him and show Myself to him.” (John 14:21) True love of God involves obedience to His commands. If we keep His commands, we will love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. This is the first five of the ten commandments. We will also love our neighbor as ourselves. This is the second half of the ten commandments.
Jesus commended the teacher when he agreed with His instruction. He told him that he was not far from the kingdom. (Mark 12:34) The last step needed would be to place faith in Jesus Christ. Confessing our sins to God and asking Him for mercy would bring the needed cleansing. The gift of the Holy Spirit gives us power to love God and our neighbor as God does. Have you repented of breaking God’s laws? Do you know you are in His kingdom (not just close)? Have you been baptized in the Holy Spirit?
Be a neighbor!
Scripture reading for April 3rd: Luke 10:13-37
Jesus was tested by a teacher of the Law with a question. “Teacher,” he asked, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” He replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all you strength and with all your mind’, and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” (Luke 10:25-27) This teacher had done a good job of distilling the Law of God into a concise statement of love and relationship. However, he had one more question for Jesus: Who was his neighbor?
Have you ever thought about that question? Is our neighbor simply the man or woman next door? Could my neighbor be someone I may not even know or like? It is one thing to know the command to love our neighbor but quite another to put it into practice consistently.
Because of sin we are centered on ourselves. We love ourselves pretty consistently by giving ‘self’ what it wants or feels it needs. God used the statement ‘love your neighbor as yourself’ because everyone would understand the love of self. Now to define a neighbor, Jesus told a story of a man who was robbed and beaten, laying beside the road naked and half-dead. Passing him by was a priest and Levite. A Samaritan happened by and took time to bind up his wounds and care for the man. Jesus asked the teacher of the Law which one of the three proved to be a neighbor to the wounded man. He responded with the obvious answer. (Luke 10:30-37) Jesus told the law expert to go and do likewise.
Being a neighbor where ever you are to those around you is what Jesus taught. The law of loving your neighbor involves doing to others what you would like them to do to you if you were in need. It shows no respect for persons and is not prejudiced. This love seeks to do what is best for the person in need near us. It comes from the heart of God and fulfills these great commandments of Scripture: Love God and love your neighbor! Be careful to be a good neighbor today!
The most important commandment!
Scripture reading for March 5th: Mark 12:18-37, Psalms 48:1-14, Proverbs 10:26
Men are always trying to reduce the requirement to get into heaven to a simple formula. They seem to want to find the line that God requires and then get as close to it as possible and still maintain their freedom to do as they please. Instead we should be seeking complete obedience with joy and thankful hearts!
“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.” (Mark 12: 28-31)
Jesus did not give this teacher one of the ten commandments that he may have been expecting. Instead, Jesus gave this man the greatest commandment. It is the law of love that God Himself set in place and which, if kept, can fulfill all the requirements of the ten commandments. Loving God involves keeping the commandments. “Whoever has My commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I too will love him and show Myself to him.” (John 14:21) True love of God involves obedience to His commands. If we keep His commands, we will love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. This is the first five of the ten commandments. We will also love our neighbor as ourselves. This is the second half of the ten commandments.
Jesus commended the teacher when he agreed with His instruction. He told him that he was not far from the kingdom. (Mark 12:34) The last step needed would be to place faith in Jesus Christ for forgiveness for breaking God’s law. Confessing our sins to God and asking Him for mercy would bring the needed cleansing. The gift of the Holy Spirit gives us power to love God and our neighbor as God does. Have you repented of breaking God’s laws? Do you know you are in His kingdom (not just close)? Have you been baptized in the Holy Spirit?
The Most Important Commandment!
Scripture reading for October 19th: Mark 11-13
As the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry approached, many of the religious leaders were looking for ways to trap Jesus and have Him arrested. They plotted together as to how they might get Him to do or say something that would enable them to get rid of Him. Jesus answered their questions with skill and wisdom, avoiding their traps and silencing them with His replies. His good answers caused one of the teachers of the law to ask Jesus a serious question. “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.” (Mark 12:28b-31) To answer this teacher of the law, Jesus quoted from the book of Deuteronomy for the first commandment. (Deuteronomy 6:4) God had impressed the need for loving relationship with Him on His people. What Jesus quoted was known as the Shema (Hebrew for “listen”), and is still recited twice daily by faithful Jews. This commandment was to be taught to the children and passed on from generation to generation. They were to share it as often as they could in every day life and find ways to so impress this on the children that they would never forget.
The second part of this greatest commandment came from Leviticus 19:18: “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” God desired good relationships between His people as well. Love was the word God chose to describe His people’s responsibility to act towards their neighbors. After all, God is love and love is of God! (1st John 4:7-8) He is the Lord of love!
As New Testament Christians, we are people known for our love. We are people that love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength! We love because He first loved us and we have experienced that love in Christ. When we are born again, the Holy Spirit brings a river of God’s love into our hearts. (Romans 5:5) We are then able to love our neighbor as ourselves.