Who is Our Neighbor?

N.T.#257 "Who is Our Neighbor?"

March 5, 2024 

Matthew 22-Part 8

LET IT GLOW

Having you been living God with all your heart, soul, and mind? That is the first and great commandment. (verses 37-38) In other words, are our will, thoughts, feelings, soul, spirit surrendered to God?

What is the second and great commandment that Jesus gave? 

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. (verse 39)

Neighbor refers to close by; fellow (man, countryman, or friend)

It does not mandate self-love. It contains in different words the very same idea as the Golden Rule. (7:12) It prompts believers to measure their love for others by what they wish for themselves. (MacArthur)

The two command are inseparable. You can't obey one without the other. To love your neighbor is the decision to compassionately and righteously pursue his or her will-being. Do you want to draw closer to God? Help someone else draw closer to God. When you love others, God will boomerang it back to you and provide you with a deeper experience of Him. (Tony Evans)

There is our assignment. Love whomever we come in contact with.

LET IT GROW 

Jesus didn't have to deliberate, ponder, or wrack His brain. He evaluated each of the 613 commandments in the Law. He placed the vertical love of God and the horizontal love of people as the foundation and structure of the entire Law. (verse 40) (Swindoll)

No Pharisee could fault such an answer. 

LET IT GO

Help us let go of ourself-interest and love God and others.

Open our eyes to the needs of others.