The Great Command: Love Your Neighbor

I once heard it said, “I love the world. It’s people I can’t stand.” That’s often true.

As we sit and pray for the world, we’re all excited about evangelism. Then we meet an individual who gets on our nerves, and winning someone to the Lord doesn’t seem as thrilling anymore.

Let’s face it. As people, most of the time we’re not very lovable so love has to transcend the moment.

Love has to go beyond others’ niceness or lack of niceness. And we have to recognize that we can’t love others in our own strength.

Love is the fruit of the Spirit [Galatians 5:22-23], and we must rest in His indwelling power before love can overflow from our hearts to others.

I think we need to say to the Lord, “Fill my heart with the Holy Spirit so that I can love other people.

“Give me the mind of Christ so I won’t be selfish and thinking only of myself. Give me compassion for the lost.

“Help me know how I can reach out in love and share Your love with my family, neighbors, fellow workers, and even my enemies.”