In our individualistic society, how can Christians strive to love their neighbors well, even when the world tells us not to?
It doesn’t take long for one to realize just how divided America is today. Whether in the political sphere, a cultural disagreement or on a backed-up freeway at rush hour, everyone always seems at odds with one another.
Yet what does the Bible tell us to do?
Jesus clearly explains the second greatest commandment: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27) — second only to loving God, of course.
This command is plain, simple and clear. We are to love each other as we would want to be treated ourselves.
But what does this really mean — loving our neighbor as ourselves?
“This doesn’t mean that we must love ourselves before we can love anyone else; it means that in the same way we take care of ourselves and are concerned about our own interests, we should take care and have concern for the interests of others,” according to Enduring Word.
Naturally, we might wonder who Jesus is referring to as our neighbors. Does he mean I have to talk to the scary next-door neighbor who doesn’t mow their grass, or to the woman down the street with the loud kids who run into my yard all the time?
The lawyer speaking with Jesus in Luke 10 asks Jesus this same question: “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29). Jesus provided the perfect example in the parable he used in conjunction with this command: the story of the Good Samaritan.
I encourage you to read the full text, which outlines the story of a man who was beaten, robbed and left on the side of the road. Many ignored him and walked past, except a Samaritan who had compassion for the man. Jesus said that the robbed man’s neighbor is “the one who showed him mercy” (Luke 10:37).
Theologian C.S. Lewis gave practical insight on how to love all people in his book, “Mere Christianity.”
“Do not waste time bothering whether you ‘love’ your neighbor; act as if you did,” Lewis said.
You might be wondering — why does this matter? What changes when you choose to love others?
Well, the book of John clearly states how this kind of love changes us.
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).
So even when you are faced with someone who you don’t particularly like, remember the way you cultivate your life now will bear fruit later. Showing love to even the most unbearable neighbors reflects the mission of Jesus — to share his love to the ends of the earth.
Garman is a copy editor for the Liberty Champion.