For these, commandments not to commit adultery, not to kill nor steal, crave to have other peoples’ things, and all the other commands – they all add up to this, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” (Romans 13:9)
If
you have heard any words from the Bible, it is likely that you have heard this
challenge to obey one little commandment, “Love your neighbor!” However, two
important questions face you if you want to follow Paul’s advice; “Who is your
neighbor?” and “How do you love this neighbor as you love yourself?”
The
word neighbor is an interesting choice. It generally means, “someone close by”
or “touching.” If you quickly run through a mental list of people you have at
times seen face-to-face, talked to, or written to, each of those would seem to qualify.
Paul’s intended definition may have been even broader, including people he had
not yet met. Maybe “everyone” could be a good working definition. But, how do
you love everyone? Considering the level of attention that most give to
themselves, the list of tasks could be long. You must have an interest in how
they are doing, understand enough of their story to know why, and work for
their interest in a way that accepts the person’s perceptions and feelings.
Further, you must appreciate and value them as God’s created people, and both
pray and work to help them to find and follow God’s will for their lives.
Only one little
commandment. Just love.
No comments:
Post a Comment