On our kitchen counter sits a “verse of the week” clipboard. It contains 52 verses with the intent that each week will offer a new verse for us to read and familiarize ourselves with. Recently, the weekly verse was Matthew 22:39 “Love your neighbor as yourself”.
This is the second greatest commandment that our Lord gave us – “love your neighbor as yourself”. It doesn’t contain a “but”, “if”, or “only”. This commandment isn’t followed by “but only if he looks like you” or “if her opinion is the same as yours” or “only if you agree with his sexual orientation”. Actually, it is quite simple and direct…..”love your neighbor as yourself”…..the end.
Five words with clear direction…..it should be so simple. However, it seems that obeying is met with excuses, limitations, exceptions…..and our own guidelines.
We are so fortunate God doesn’t use our guidelines in how He loves us. When it comes to loving, God puts a more positive spin on “but”, “if”, and “only”…..”But” God knows everything about you, all you have done, and loves you anyway. “If” God can love and overlook imperfections, flaws, and shortcomings, why can’t we? “Only” God offers forgiveness for our transgressions while loving unconditionally, completely, without end.
Of course, God is God, so we will never be able to love with the capacity that He loves. However, shouldn’t our goal be to mirror God’s love the best way we can? Why should differences such as race, opinion, or sexual orientation inhibit our ability to love our neighbor?
Let’s all try to open our minds and open our hearts…..love your neighbor as yourself…..and just remember, someone else may be striving to overlook your differences and love you as well.
