In Mark 12:31, the Bible instructs us to love our neighbors like we love ourselves. It’s the second greatest commandment after “love God.”
If you sponsor a child with Compassion, you’re already practicing this commandment. But what about when the neighbor you’re asked to love isn’t that cute, smiling kiddo on your fridge? What if it’s someone you disagree with? Someone who hurt you? Here, you’ll learn how to love your neighbor through the help of God’s Word.
What’s Here:
How to Love Your Neighbor: What It Means
What does it mean to love your neighbor? Thousands of years ago, Jesus was asked that same question. In response, he told a story about a weary traveler who was robbed, beaten and left alongside the road (Luke 10:25-37).
A Levite saw him and kept walking (he was probably busy). A very religious man ignored him too (after all, no one was there to see his good deed). But the person who stopped to do something was someone a bit unexpected: the Good Samaritan.
The Good Samaritan and the traveler couldn’t have been more different. They came from different cities. They had very different views. Some might even say they hated each other. In fact, many saw the Samaritans as condemned. Despite their differences, the Samaritan chose to love his neighbor.
Our neighbors are those people God has placed in front of us. Friends, family, even strangers we meet on the street are all our neighbors. And no matter how different the person or how inconvenient or unexpected the situation, we’re asked to love the people around us just like the Good Samaritan.
What Is This Thing Called Love?
“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” — 1 Corinthians 13:1, NIV
This verse tells us that even if we have all the right things to say but don’t have love, we’re just making noise. If we follow religious practices perfectly but don’t love, we’re missing the mark. If we’re simply posting about loving others on social media, we’re losing out.
That’s not love. Instead, true love, godly love, looks like this:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” — 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NIV
Love acts in kindness. Love shows humility. Love forgives. Love protects. Love trusts. Love gives hope. Love isn’t something you think about. It’s not something you talk about. Love is something you do.
How to Love Your Neighbor: 3 Ways
The actions of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10 can teach us three simple lessons on how to be a good neighbor by loving those around us.
1. See People
Whether they move in next door or cross your path for just a moment, stop and see the person in front of you. Look them in the eyes. Ask God to help you see them not for who they appear to be but for who they are in his eyes.
After all, everyone we meet was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), no matter where they’re from, what they look like or what they believe. When you truly look at your neighbor, you’ll see their needs. You can then move with love to help.
2. Do Something
When you see a need, don’t keep walking like the men in the story of the Good Samaritan. Stop and do something! The Good Samaritan put differences aside to care for the stranger and get him the help he needed. He bandaged his wounds and took him to a nearby inn so he could rest and recover (Luke 10:34-35, NIV).
There are so many ways you can act in love to help others. For example, you could sponsor a child living in poverty who lives without the essentials needed to thrive. You could volunteer at a local shelter or food bank or take the time to pray for those hurting around you.
You have unique, God-given gifts, skills and insights. How can you use them to help the neighbor God placed in your path? Ask him how he might use you to help those around you.
3. Live a Life of Love
In the story of the Good Samaritan, he didn’t just drop the traveler off at an inn. He made sure the traveler was taken care of as he gained back his strength. Loving our neighbor well isn’t a one-time act. It’s a lifestyle — one that points back to Jesus.
Living a life of love is about making simple choices. Choose to practice patience when those around you test you. Choose to show kindness to someone when they hurt you instead of lashing out in anger. Choose to show compassion to those in need when others walk away.
Whenever you see a need, remember the Good Samaritan. As you live a life of love, your response to the second command, to love your neighbor, will become a priority.
Love Your Neighbor. Become a Sponsor.
Releasing a child from poverty in Jesus’ name by becoming a sponsor is a simple yet powerful way to love your neighbor.
This article was originally published February 14, 2017.