Love your neighbor as yourself

By Evangeline Unity Esaaba Folson

Matthew 7:12
therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them; for this is the law and the prophets

The common English Bible Version of the verse above says;

Therefore, you should treat people in the same way that you want people to treat you; this is the law and prophets (this is the meaning of the law of Moses san of the teachings of the prophets)

This verse falls in line with the popular proverb that says; “Do unto others what you would want others to do unto you” it also confirms the second greatest commandment Jesus gave.

Jesus summarized the 10 commandments God gave Moses on mount Sinai into two great commandments;

The first one says; Matthew 22:37

Jesus said unto him, thy shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind.

The second says: Matthew 22:39

And the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

As humans its difficult to naturally love your neighbour because we are selfish, everybody wants the best for himself/herself. To be able to obey this commandment from the lord, we must:

Rely on the Lord for grace and strength

Psalm 28:7-8

2 Corinthians 12:9

Realize that whatever you do for your neighbour is done unto the Lord

Ecclesiastes 11:1

Matthew 25:40

Believe we will receive a reward

Revelations 2:10

Galatians 6:9

Rely on the Lord for grace and strength

Psalm 28:7-8

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore, my heart greatly rejoiceth. And with my song will I praise Him.

The Lord is their strength and he is the saving strength of His anointed.

In the passage above, the psalmist says, the Lord is His strength and shield, He is the saving strength of His anointed *(those He has set apart for His work)

The lord can be your strength too if you will p[ray and ask him to give you grace and strength to love your neighbour as yourself.

2 Corinthians 12:9

And He said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

According to the verse above, of you will identify and accept your weakness (in loving your neighbour as yourself) then the power of Christ will rest upon you and give you sufficient grace to love your neighbour as yourself as the Lord commands us to.

Realize that whatever you do for your neighbour is done unto God

Ecclesiastes 11:1

Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.

I believe this verse means, give as much as you can, as often as possible and God will reward you.

When you give, give to:

The church to help reach out to the poor and needy

Malachi 3:8-10

Christian organizations so that they can reach out to the poor and needy all over the world
Give to your neighbour Both the rich and the poor

Luke 6:38

Matthew 25:40

And the King shall answer and say unto them, verily I say unto you, in as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

N the verse above, Jesus says whenever you give to the poor and need, you give to Him. Therefore, so not be stingy, give freely for you will be rewarded you have given (LUKE 6:38)

_ _ _ _ _ for with the same measure that ye mete (give) withal (with the same measure) it shall be measured to you again.

Believe we will receive a reward

Galatians 6:9

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

The key or condition for recurring a reward is to be faithful and consistent in giving or loving your neighbour as yourself then you will receive your reward when God thinks the time is right.

Revelations 2:10

Fear none of those things, which thou shall suffer: behold the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried, and ye shall have tribulations ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

According to the verse above, if you overcome all the obstacles and challenges and you love your neighbour as yourself, even if it means making great sacrifices, God will give you the crown if life or eternal life.

I will end with 1 John 4:7and 8 Beloved let us love one another for love is of God and everyone that loveth is born of God and knoweth God

He that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is love. Amen.

References