You’ll recall from yesterday’s lesson that Jesus taught us to love God as the first most important commandment. Loving God is good, but not enough. If we claim we love God, we must show that love by love for others around us. Jesus taught that the second most important is “Thou shalt love thy ________________ as thyself ’. (Matthew 22:39)

What does it mean to “love our neighbor”? “Neighbor” covers people you know. It does not mean literally those who live next to you. It includes them, of course, but it also includes friends, schoolmates, and family members. In fact, it covers everyone you meet or know.

Is it easy to love everyone we meet or know? No! It is very diffcult! In fact, it is impossible, if we rely on our own strength! Why? Because our sinful self will find fault with others and not be able to love them. The ability to have this kind of love is given only to Christians, for they are to rely on God, not themselves.

If we love God, we’d know we are not perfect but in fact have many areas to improve. And when we grow to love God and the bible more, we’d be able to learn that we are very sinful and need God to help us daily. The more we discover our own weaknesses, the more humble we’d be. And when we get more humble, we’d be able to appreciate others around us. They would not be perfect, like us. But we’d obey God in trying to love them as well. That will teach us so many great lessons! Among the many lessons we may have, we could learn not to be petty with friends, not to be selfish but to share toys, not to be jealous of others, not to be disobedient to parents. The list goes on.

If we are able to love people we know despite their imperfections, that shows we are on the right track. That shows we have obeyed God by not selfish or proud. That shows we love God. The sequence is crucial: we must first love God before we can ever love man.

To love everyone is really difficult. Your friend may have just offended you, but you are to still love him. Your sister may have has broken your all-time favorite toy, and yet you are to still love her. Wow! It is so hard to love others who have hurt us.

Thought: Who is your neighbor?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me not to be selfish and love others. I know that is absolutely diffcult but with Your help, I’d be able to. So please help me, God. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.