Love Your Neighbor

YOUR NEIGHBOR NEEDS YOU

You shall not take vengeance . . . but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. LEVITICUS 19:18

During the American Revolution, a man named Michael Wittman was sentenced to die for treason. A pastor who had been an object of Wittman’s hatred walked seventy miles to plead with General George Washington for Wittman’s life. Washington refused until he discovered Wittman was the pastor’s enemy, not his friend. Because the pastor had shown such love for an enemy, Wittman was released and became the pastor’s fast friend.

One of Jesus’ best-known parables was about two religious men, a priest and a Levite, who failed to show mercy and love to a dying man. Only when an enemy of the man, a Samaritan, came along was love revealed and the man saved (Luke 10:30–37). Jesus told this story to illustrate the true meaning of the command to “love your neighbor.”

The willingness to love one’s neighbor was first revealed by God when He sent Jesus to die for us, His enemies (Romans 5:8, 10). As Christ loved us, so we are to love others (1 John 4:11). The good Samaritan changed his world with love. Is there a neighbor in your world whose life could be changed by your love?

Who is your neighbor? Your neighbor is anyone who has a need that you have the ability to meet.

Jeremiah, David. 2017. David Jeremiah Morning and Evening Devotions: Holy Moments in the Presence of God. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.