As Christians, it is more challenging to justify condemning someone with scripture than it is to justify love, mercy, and grace to those around us. The Bible contains many scriptures and examples from Jesus, who shows and teaches us to love our neighbor. Jesus called us to share the gospel and to be salt and light in this dark world.
For God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him. – John 3:17 (WEB)
Even this scripture, in context, talks about how those who believe in Jesus are saved. Those who do not believe in Jesus have already been judged simply because they have not believed. There is no need for us to bring condemnation to anyone.
Instead, we need to find a way to love them. This does not diminish the need to embrace discernment in all areas, but this is mostly defined by our boundaries and staying rooted in God’s Word.
The Bible is very clear about how Christians need to treat everyone. While there are several scriptures and stories I could share, here is one that addresses something as simple as doing good to all people:
So then, as we have opportunity, let’s do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith. – Galatians 6:10 (WEB)
Loving your neighbor will require taking the opportunity every day to do what is good to all men. You can lose sight of this command in the Bible, but you are called to love your neighbor.
The Greatest Commandment
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. A second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” – Matthew 22:36-40 (WEB)
Jesus knew we needed to keep God first in our lives, and how we treat people matters. These are the greatest commandments, and they must guide our daily steps and actions.
Parable of the Good Samaritan
In Luke 10:25-37 Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan. In this parable, someone asks Jesus how he can inherit eternal life. We see the man questioning Jesus, and the man mentions the two greatest commandments, quoting Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18, which are the two greatest commandments found in Matthew 22:36-40. Jesus confirmed to the man that this was correct.
However, the man was not happy with this answer and needed to justify his actions. He asked who his neighbor was. I suspect this man wanted to know who he “should” be nice to, and who he needed to “reject.” This is where Jesus begins to tell the parable of the Good Samaritan, and I find it interesting that Jesus’ response isn’t about who this man’s neighbor is; instead, He tells the man what makes a good neighbor.
Now which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?” He said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” – Luke 10:36-37 (WEB)
The question is not about who your neighbor is. Instead, the question will always be, “Are YOU being a good neighbor?” It is about whether or not you are showing mercy to those around you.
Overcoming Barriers to Love Your Neighbor
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? – Matthew 5:43-47 (WEB)
Christians are called to be good neighbors to everyone, including our enemies.
Some of the barriers we face when it comes to being a good neighbor:
- Self-centeredness: Life can be overwhelming and busy at times, but it is difficult to be a good neighbor when we are only focused on our feelings, needs, and struggles.
- Judgment and Prejudice: Both of these mindsets go against the greatest commandments and are sinful.
- Fear of vulnerability: Going out of our way to meet the needs of those around us, and form relationships with people can be scary.
- Lack of Empathy: We often create a distance between those we don’t understand, or if we can’t care for their feelings.
Overcoming barriers to being a good neighbor requires drawing closer to God and taking steps of obedience to treat others the way you would like to be treated. It is important to lean into the difficult moments and trials of life. It is in those moments that you will begin to learn what others might be going through. Your empathy will grow, and you will create an atmosphere of love, mercy, and grace.
They Will Know Us By Our Love
The greatest thing holding us back from loving our neighbor is fear.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love. – 1 John 4:18 (WEB)
When we show mercy to others, we may feel like we are neglecting our values. But the truth is that hatred, prejudice, fear, and judgment will always put a distance between us, God, and others.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:34-35 (WEB)
Our love for those around us allows us to be good neighbors and draws us closer to God. Christians are called to abide in Christ, and it is through our love that we abide in Him.
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