THE 8th of SEPTEMBER
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LOVING OUR NEIGHBOR AS OURSELVES?
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! – Galatians 5:14-15
Love is the essence of Mosaic Law and it continues throughout the rest of the Bible regarding human relationship. While the Law was uniting Jewish people together, the Gospel unites all men, from all nations to God. What does “to love our neighbor as we love ourselves” truly mean? As the Amplified Bible explains, we are called to care for others and not be selfish; we should do things for their benefit out of love, without hidden motives, with a pure heart and a good conscience. In essence we are called to treat others as we would like others to treat us.
Love is the end of the Law. Jesus fulfilled it out of pure unselfish love for us all. He chose to pay the death penalty for the sins of all mankind. Starting with verse 13, of the same chapter we are taught that “through love serve one another.” Love is the key of having peace, joy and good relationships. If we choose strife over peace, it is more likely to hurt and end the relationships we have. If we choose to allow ourselves be offended, hurt and full of bitterness, we suffer and destroy ourselves and may negatively affect those around us.
SUGGESTED PRAYER
Almighty God, help me always choose to be kind to people and to do unto others as I would like done unto me. Please fill me with Your love, that I can dispense love to those around me. Thank You Holy Spirit for your gifts and fruit! Lord please help me allow the fruit of love, gentleness, kindness, peace and joy to work in me so that I may love and treat people right. I know that nothing good comes out of strife or arguments. Please help me Lord to not get easily offended, so that I won’t be bitter and then angry, being mean to others and sinning even more. Help me solve what plagues me before it turns into negative emotions which are difficult to deal with. Thank you God, in Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen