In Matthew 22:39 NIV Jesus says "Love your neighbor as yourself." It is often cited as Jesus calls it the second greatest commandment. It is taught as the standard for how we relate to one another. My question is this: What does that mean? What does it mean to love our neighbor as ourself?
We accept this quite readily when it is said but I'm afraid that most of us don't have a good understanding of what Jesus meant. Too often, because we have been influenced by the world, by humanism, we apply our own humanistic thinking to it. We understand it to say that we are to love others as we would want to be loved.
Let's see where that goes. Take this young man who goes to college. He moves into his co-ed dorm room right next to three outstandingly attractive young women. He thinks back to his Sunday school training and thinks "hmm, I'm supposed to love them as I'd like to be loved." As you might guess his mind quickly turns to what he'd like from them and so he proceeds to make inroads with each of them. Do you suppose this is what Jesus meant?
Of course not. God is so gracious to us, he knows our weaknesses and shortcomings and has made provision for us. He tells us how we are to love him and how we are to love others. He tells us through his commands, teachings, testimonies, principles, patterns and precepts throughout the Bible. We learn how we are to be loved and how we are to love one another. When we bring that understanding to his teaching "love your neighbor as yourself" we capture what he really called us to. Not a selfish love, but a sacrificial love.
Always be careful when interpreting what the Bible teaches to understand it in context. Its too easy for us to twist it to what we want it to say because we have been influenced by our humanistic culture and because of our sinful nature. Commit this day to learn and apply God's word to every area of your life.
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When you mention that we need to interpret Bible passages properly it reminds me of a recent discussion I had with a relative. She was talking about how she got the new "Harry Potter" for her husband. My heart sank.
Why you might ask? She and her family is unsaved, and so I try not to push my faith on her. I shared how I use to read that same series, and it was very inthralling. The author is very talented, however, I also mentioned that I was seeking God's guidence on that issue. Deuteronomy 18 tells us to have nothing to do with whitch craft or anything of the like. I mentioned this to her and said that was why I could no longer read the series. She responded that it was all for entertainment and it was only for fun... well, when later discussing a similar topic with a different individual he brought up what Jesus said in Matthew 5-7 about how we are to no even think about lustful things, and that if we think such thoughts about a woman it is af if we already have in our hearts. I would reply the same to my relative... just thinking about and enjoying the entertainment of what God tells us not to do is just is if we committed the sins tour selves.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. It is encouraging to read what other believers have to share from scripture.
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