In our last article we examined the command to love your neighbor as yourself. So many passages testify to just how important this is (Matthew 22:36-40; Romans 13:9; Galatians 5:14; James 2:8). We also noted that our neighbor is anyone we come in contact with whom we have opportunity to do something for. Jesus Himself explained this as recorded in Luke 10:25-37. In this article we want to notice some ways that we show love for our neighbors.

We show love for our neighbors by treating them the way we want to be treated. Jesus taught in Matthew 7:12, "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." We often refer to this as the golden rule. This is a principle that should apply to every encounter with others. It means that we never do anything to anyone that we would not want done to us in a given situation. A study of ancient religions will reveal that most religions have a similar rule. But most of them are negative simply stating how we should NOT treat others. (I.e. - The Hindu religion says, "This is the sum of duty: do naught to others which if done to thee would cause thee pain. " The Mahabharata; The Jewish Talmud teaches, "What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow men. That is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary.") But the statement of Jesus goes beyond that saying that we should treat them the way we want to be treated, even when we are initiating the contact. Truly, if the entire world would abide by this, how much better we would all be. It certainly is a demonstration of Christian love for mankind.

We show love for our neighbors by doing good for them. Galatians 6:10 says, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." One thing we find in the scripture is the benevolence of Christians. Jesus was certainly benevolent in dealing with the masses. He helped everyone whom He could help. Luke 6:19 records one occasion when Jesus healed all who were there. He fed the crowds when they were hungry. He spoke with compassion to all that needed it. Peter summed up His attitude saying we should be, "casting all your care upon Him, because He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7) We also find this compassion in the Christians of the first century. One example is Dorcas who was "full of good works and charitable deeds." (Acts 9:36) Also Cornelius was described as "a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the poor…" (Acts 10:2). Titus 2:14 says that Christ, "gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." The term good works would include whatever beneficial things we can do for others. When we have Christian love, we will want to help those who need it, as we are able.

We also show Christian love by being honest and honorable with our neighbors. Romans 13:8 says, "Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law." The point that Paul makes by saying, "owe no one anything" is that the Christian honors his commitments. He has a good reputation and can be trusted. Among the things Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for was their mistreating of their neighbors. Matthew 23:16-23, records His rebuke saying, "Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.' "Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? And, 'Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.' "Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? Therefore he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things on it. He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells in it. And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it." In doing this the Jews had made themselves untrustworthy with the Gentiles. On another occasion, Jesus said, "But let your 'yes' be 'yes', and your 'no', 'no'. For whatever is more than these is from the evil one" (Matthew 5:37). Being honest can only be helpful when dealing with your neighbors in other areas also. Remember Romans 15:2, "Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. " Christian love will do this.

Another way Christians show their love is by treating his neighbors equally. There is a certain standard that always applies when dealing with others. The Christian realizes that he cannot be selective in dealing properly with others. We find in the scriptures that prejudice is a sin. James 2:1-10 deals with brethren showing partiality . Vs.8-9 says, "If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself,' you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors." Notice that the one who is prejudice (one who pre-judges), commits sin. When Peter (a Jew) went to Cornelius (a Gentile), he made this statement, "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him." (Acts 10:34-35). He had learned that God has only one standard for all men. When someone discriminates he is NOT showing Christian love.

We also show love for our neighbors by taking the time to teach them the truth. This is the ultimate goal of the Christian with everyone he comes in contact with. Paul realized the urgency of preaching in 2 Corinthians 5:11 where he said, "Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men." Jesus commissioned His Apostles to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). Act 8:4 records that the persecuted saints of Judea "went everywhere preaching the word." In these examples we see the importance Christians of the first century placed on teaching others. Our goal as Christians ought to be to go to heaven and take as many with us as possible. If we truly love our neighbors as ourselves, we will try to teach them just as we teach ourselves. After all, we must realize that we may be the only chance they have to hear God's word.

In this article we have noted a number of ways that we show our love for our neighbors. When we are treated well by them it is somewhat easy to do these things. But what about when our neighbor is also our enemy? In our next article we will address that subject. In the meantime, I ask, How is your love for your neighbors?