37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40 ESV)
Who is your neighbor?
It is easy for us to lull ourselves into the belief that it is those who are truly our neighbors in our community, those we live near. But if we are honest, and live in a major metropolitan area, I will bet that you barely know your neighbors.
I grew up in a time and place where I not only knew all my neighbors, but I knew most everybody in town. Small towns in Texas everyone knows everyone and they are generally a pretty welcoming lot. At least they were when I was younger.
No, our neighbor is everyone we come in contact with. God was trying to point out that loving God with heart, mind and soul is important. But that knowledge and love has its power in us loving on others. That is why these two commandments stand out above the rest.
Reflect on: Who are my neighbors? Am I showing them God’s love? Am I even loving God?
