DO YOU LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR?
The second most important commandment is like it: "Love your neighbor as you love yourself." Matt. 22:39, T.E.V.
What do you think would happen if all of us really did love our neighbors just as much, and in the same way, as we love ourselves? How would we act toward each other? Would we really take care to meet each other's needs?
Perhaps it would be useful to consider how most of us do love ourselves. At times it seems we border on a national epidemic of self-destruction, the way we badger ourselves with alcohol and drugs, overeating, lack of exercise, stress, loss of sleep, and a polluted environment. We take headache pills, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, and mood brighteners literally by the tons. We dull our minds with loud music, raunchy videos, and escapist games.
Though we are careful to defend ourselves, protect ourselves, and even lash out at others who might fault us, there is much evidence that we really aren't very fond of ourselves. Most of us are not enthralled with our weight, the color of our hair, or the shape of our nose. We are unsatisfied with our personalities, our style, and our personal past history. Our conversations reveal insecurities and self-put-downs.
How wise it was of Jesus that He should list loving our neighbors as ourselves as the second great commandment rather than the first. It is a fact that we cannot love ourselves until we first come into a loving relationship with our Father. Until we begin to absorb the truth of how God views us, we will continue to hold a very dim view of ourselves. In the light of the cross, we see the preciously high regard that He has placed upon us. And unless we want to argue that our opinion of ourselves is more accurate than that of the Creator, we have to accept that gracious message.
To see ourselves as persons created in the image of God, destined for fellowship with Him throughout eternity, is precisely how Jesus said we should see our neighbors. To love and care about all humanity is to include ourselves in that class. When Jesus said that we should forgive our enemies, we should consider whether we are holding any grudges against ourselves. Then we shall be set free from self-absorption to really care about others--and that most powerfully reflects the kind of love that Jesus expresses toward us.
The second most important commandment is like it: "Love your neighbor as you love yourself." Matt. 22:39, T.E.V.
What do you think would happen if all of us really did love our neighbors just as much, and in the same way, as we love ourselves? How would we act toward each other? Would we really take care to meet each other's needs?
Perhaps it would be useful to consider how most of us do love ourselves. At times it seems we border on a national epidemic of self-destruction, the way we badger ourselves with alcohol and drugs, overeating, lack of exercise, stress, loss of sleep, and a polluted environment. We take headache pills, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, and mood brighteners literally by the tons. We dull our minds with loud music, raunchy videos, and escapist games.
Though we are careful to defend ourselves, protect ourselves, and even lash out at others who might fault us, there is much evidence that we really aren't very fond of ourselves. Most of us are not enthralled with our weight, the color of our hair, or the shape of our nose. We are unsatisfied with our personalities, our style, and our personal past history. Our conversations reveal insecurities and self-put-downs.
How wise it was of Jesus that He should list loving our neighbors as ourselves as the second great commandment rather than the first. It is a fact that we cannot love ourselves until we first come into a loving relationship with our Father. Until we begin to absorb the truth of how God views us, we will continue to hold a very dim view of ourselves. In the light of the cross, we see the preciously high regard that He has placed upon us. And unless we want to argue that our opinion of ourselves is more accurate than that of the Creator, we have to accept that gracious message.
To see ourselves as persons created in the image of God, destined for fellowship with Him throughout eternity, is precisely how Jesus said we should see our neighbors. To love and care about all humanity is to include ourselves in that class. When Jesus said that we should forgive our enemies, we should consider whether we are holding any grudges against ourselves. Then we shall be set free from self-absorption to really care about others--and that most powerfully reflects the kind of love that Jesus expresses toward us.
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