Love Your Neighbor

"You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people ... You shall not hate your brother in your heart.... You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD."
~ Leviticus 19:16-18 (NKJV)

So the scribe said to Him, "Well said, Teacher.... To love [God] with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God."
~ Mark 12:32-34 (NKJV)

"Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets."
~ Matthew 7:12 (NKJV)

The God who gave the New Covenant is the same God of the Old Covenant. Hundreds of laws, rituals, ordinances, precepts, statutes and judgments of the Old Covenant had the same purpose as New Covenant grace: show how to love God foremost and fully, and how to love your neighbor. In these two commandments is summed up all the law and prophets.

How do you love your neighbor as yourself? We are so dense that Jesus makes it simpler yet. Do to others what you'd want done to yourself under the same circumstances. Forgive as you've been forgiven by Your Father in heaven. Show to those who offend you a fraction of the grace God has shown for your infinitely greater offenses against Him.

Whatever we might offer as a sacrifice, whatever we'd do to show ourselves children of God—in faith, hope, or love—we can do nothing greater than simply love.

Dear God, You've shown us perfect love. Please humble us so we might be filled with Your Spirit and able to love You as much as is humanly possible, and love the people around us who You love as You love us.

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