In our last article we noted the importance of brethren loving one another. Jesus said that such is a sign to the world that we really are His disciples (John 13:34-35). And while loving our brethren is not without it difficulties, if all brethren are showing Christian love it becomes easy and natural. Even the world will see it. But what about the rest? What about those who are not our brethren? How do we treat those who have no concept about Christian love? What are our responsibilities to the rest of world? In this article we will examine this.

Matthew 22:36-40 records a conversation between Jesus and some of the Jewish leaders during the week of His crucifixion. A lawyer testing Him asked "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?" Jesus answered that the first is to love God with all your heart, soul and mind. Then He said, "And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself'" (v. 39). To stress the importance of this, He then said, "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets" (v. 40). When Jesus said this, He was pointing to just how important love is. Everything we do must be motivated by Christian love (agape).

Note the degree to which are to love our neighbors: As ourselves. This is not speaking of vanity or haughty pride, but rather self-respect and preservation. We do what is best for our well being. In another article, we will note how we are to love ourselves. It is to this degree that we are to love our neighbors. We look out for what is best for them and treat them with dignity.

Luke 10:25-37 records another occasion when Jesus was asked by a certain lawyer, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus asked him "What is written in the law?" The lawyer answered to love God with your all and your neighbor as yourself. Jesus responded saying, "You have answered rightly: Do this and you will live." (v. 28) But the lawyer, "wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, 'And who is my neighbor?'" (v. 29) This led Jesus to tell the parable of the Good Samaritan. A certain who was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho was robbed and beaten and left for dead by the road. While lying there a priest saw him and passed by on the other side. And then a Levite did the same thing. But then a Samaritan came along and had compassion. So he tended his wounds, put the injured man on his animal and took him to an inn where he paid the innkeeper to take care of him. He even promised to pay him more if needed when he returned (vs.30-35). Following this, Jesus asked the lawyer, "So which of these do you think was neighbor to him…?" The lawyer answered, "He who showed mercy on him." Jesus answered, "Go and do likewise" (vs. 36-37).

Some background will help us better understand the meaning of this parable and our application. Jesus was speaking to a Jewish lawyer about his responsibilities. While not stated, it can be implied that the man who was robbed was probably a Jew. Both the priest and the Levite were not only Jews but also men who read and taught the law. They were of the tribe set apart by God Himself to administer the Law of Moses. In that law you find compassion and love for mankind. In fact, in the passages above, Jesus is quoting from the Old Law, namely Deuteronomy 6:5 and Luke 19:18. The fact that these two men did not render aid to this man in need shows their disregard for man, probably a brother, and God's laws to others. The Samaritan was a man from the region of Samaria. They were despised by the Jews because of their heritage. They were a people created while the Jews were in Assyrian & Babylonian captivity. The Jews left behind intermingled with the nations displaced in the land of Israel and these became the Samaritans (see 2 Kings 17:24-41). So because of their mixed blood, the Jews thought them to be even worse than the average Gentile (John 4:9; 8:48). But, in our parable, the Samaritan (who would have known of this animosity) was the one who showed compassion and treated the wounded man as we should treat everyone. As Jesus summarizes this parable, we learn whom He defines to be our neighbor. It is ANYONE we come in contact with whom we have opportunity to do something for. This is regardless of who they are or what they have done to us. We are to love them.

In addition to the times Jesus taught it (Matthew 5:43; 19:19; etc.), the saying, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" is found in three passages that we will briefly note. Together they emphasize just how important this command is. The first is Romans 13:9 where Paul says, "For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." In this Paul states all commands are summed up in the attitude of love for our neighbors. In other words it is to be the motive behind all that we do for others. Too often today people act based upon what they will get out of a given situation. They might treat someone kindly, but only because they expect something from it. Christian love treats everyone kindly at all times. It is the foundation of their belief in God.

The next text is Galatians 5:14, "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Here Paul is dealing with Christians not taking advantage of one another. In the midst of that discussion he speaks of all the law being fulfilled by loving our neighbors. One point worthy of note here is that our brethren are our neighbors also. While that seems obvious, there are some who treat strangers and acquaintances with kindness while treating their brethren in a less than kind manner at times. Also do not forget that we are to love at all times, not only when it is convenient.

Finally, note James 2:8, "If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well". Here James is addressing the sin of partiality. While discussing this he also mentions the command we are discussing. In fact he refers to it as the royal law. The word royal means, "of or belonging to a king, kingly, royal, regal" (Thayer). That which belongs to a king is given precedence in his kingdom. So it is with the command we have been discussing. James says that when we properly love our neighbors, we are giving God's law in this the precedence it deserves. We honor God when we treat all men equally.

In this article we have see that one must love his neighbor, even as himself. But what does this involve? What about our enemies? In our next article we will address these questions. Until then, I ask, do you love your neighbor as yourself?

Loving your neighbor includes:

Teaching him

The golden rule

Treating him with respect

What about your enemies? They are neighbors too!