Love Thy Neighbor

Since taking Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I have felt a complete 180 degree turn-around on how I view others. People don't change people, God changes people and that is exactly what he did to me. I was once a man like any other that didn't know how to "step in someone else's shoes." While I never held too many grudges or straight-out hated anyone, I never knew how to love either.


No matter who you are and no matter what you believe, if you are reading this, please know that I care about you. We are all of the same kin, created by God.


For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.
-Colossians 1:16


And if God created us, why are we warring against each other? Why do nations rise up and strike other nations? Why don't people love thy neighbor?


The answer can be found through understanding of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Savior came to save us from eternal damnation and also came to show us that love is happiness. Let's face it, who yearns to be unhappy? Nobody does. Everyone seeks one thing and that is happiness. But not everyone knows where to find it. Some people think they can disguise it with riches and a promiscuous sexual life. Well, I'm here to tell you that I have found happiness and it is based around love for one another.


It is difficult to not gossip about a fellow human being, especially when someone does wrong against you. But does that give you the right to act the same way back? Does that make you any better? We've all heard it before: "let's not stoop to their level." Well, that saying has a very Biblical meaning behind it. The next time someone does wrong against you, it is best not to speak ill of them, but rather to pray for them and leave it alone. Judgement is reserved for God.


The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.
-1 Samuel 24:15


I have always noticed that I have several different groups of friends. I am never isolated to one particular click or best friend. While I may be closer to some and more distant from others at different times, the love I feel for each person remains. I find it difficult to completely shut out a person from my life. Since becoming saved, I have had an easier time showing a Christ-like unconditional love for others. This love is never met with an ultimatum or strings-attached clause, rather, it is made possible by Jesus Christ. With Christ, you will overlook no one and your heart will yearn to make others happy.


I have always been more of a giver than a receiver. I look forward to Christmas gift-giving rather than the gifts I receive. This doesn't mean unconditional love negates any type of receiving. The true gift of receiving is through God.


But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
-Philippians 4:19


God is a provider and not only will He provide the understanding and love required to keep His commandments (such as 'love thy neighbor'), He will provide anything that you ask of Him in Jesus' name. I have been through enough trials and tribulation to know that God is real and that investing time in prayer and studying of His Word will manifest into great things. You could spend your whole life doing great things without God but never fully experience what God has called you to do. And whatever God has called you to do, I can guarantee you, it is better than what you can do alone.


I may have been able to go my entire life being a great gift-giver, never asking for something in return but would I ever have been able to fully commit myself to a life of love? For years, I kept thinking, "I do so much for others but why does no one do anything for me?" Well, my friends, let me tell you this: giving is not about receiving. Showing love is not about receiving love. That is never what God had in mind. If He had that in mind when Christ first came, Jesus would have never said "Forgive them Father, they know not what they do."


Everything ties together, whether it's love, forgiveness, mercy, grace, patience, or any other Godly attribute. We can show love by forgiveness. We can show love by being merciful. We can show love by granting grace (rewarding someone when it is not deserved). And then to truly test ourselves, we show patience. By being patient, we wait for a change. As we do good deeds for others when they do none for us, we wait. And our hope is that one day the other person will feel the same way we do.


I once heard a story about a husband and wife. The wife was a believer but the husband was not. He cursed her day in and day out for her beliefs and eventually his resentment for her ended with him locking her out to sleep on the porch for an entire night. She did so, and in the morning, he let her back in the house and said sorry. She never complained, nor did she ever lose faith that he would eventually have God revealed to him.


Sounds like a fairy tale, eh? Well, we spend so much time watching them on TV and in the movies, that I hope we do those things because we want to believe they can happen. And I'm here to say that they can. The story of Jesus Christ is a fairy tale but one that was written by God as truth.


In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
-St. John 1:1


I love what God has done for me and what He has allowed me to see in others. He has enabled me to love with an open heart and always second guess myself when I don't speak kindly of others. If I find that I have, I immediately repent and ask the Lord for forgiveness. This has kept me from making enemies and experiencing a life of happiness that can only be found in Christ. Please, seek God. Please, love others. Whichever one comes first, I guarantee you the other will be soon to follow.


God bless and have a wonderful day.