Jesus spoke in Luke chapter 10:
25 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”
27 So he answered and said, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
28 And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”
Most people have no issue with the first commandment of Loving THE LORD your GOD with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind yet doing the same to your neighbor presents a problem for many. It is rather straightforward to Love the CREATOR of the universe WHO can do no wrong (if you have the wisdom and understanding to comprehend HIS actions). Your neighbors aren’t quite as perfect and will require unconditional Love when they do not conform to your standards. Expectations are set for people to maintain a standard according to local traditions and peer pressure. Are you willing to Love the unlovely?
In the U.S. one of the biggest issues neighbors deal with is keeping their property up consistent with the neighborhoods. Instead of calling the authorities to cite the neighbor, why don’t we simply help the neighbor out as a labor of Love? Jesus set a different standard than how the world would respond when encountering “neighbors”. Jesus spoke in Matthew in chapter 5:
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’
39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.
41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
We don’t need to pull out a Strong’s Concordance and redefine the Intent of what Jesus said, simply take it at face value. We will not win people to Christ by force, manipulation, or superior intellect. People are hurting and want to see genuine Love in action. Our acts of kindness will soften their hearts in preparation of receiving the Good News. How would your neighbors describe you to others? Unless we display qualities of being “Christ-like” we have some work to do.