A Better Culture

And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:39

 

Loving God (Mt. 22:37-38) is certainly understandable when you consider the great love and sacrifice that has been demonstrated toward us and, continues every day of our life. We probably do not have a problem with the “greatest command.”

 

But connected to this is “love your neighbor as yourself.” This seems to be the more difficult command to fulfill for us. Our neighbor is really any one else – other human beings created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). We are to be concerned with, honor, respect, and care for others.

 

Sometimes, the temptation is to be so wrapped up with self and we ignore the need to be kind and caring with others. Can we love God while ignoring our fellow man? Didn’t Jesus say “whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them?” (Mt.7:12-CSB)

 

We do have a moral obligation to care for one another because every person has value. Philippians 2:3-4 (CSB) says “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider other as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

 

–Rob Albright, NW church Of Christ, Greensboro, NC