Love Your Neighbor as Yourself

Today's sermon was from 1 John 2:7-11.

"He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes" (v 9-11).

John is continuing his argument, laying proofs for knowing whether or not you are truly a Christian.

Here it's pretty clear: If you say you're a Christian, but hate your brother, you're a liar.

One of the cross-references that Pastor used was Leviticus 19:17-18.

"You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself."

He brought this up to support 1 Jn 2:7-8 - this is not a new commandment. It's as old as Moses!

It also gives us some practical insight into what it means to love your neighbor.

Don't hate him in your heart, but reason frankly with him, lest you incur sin because of him. That parallels Ephesians 4: Don't let the sun go down on your wrath. Don't let Satan gain a foothold.

When I love someone, I will have to talk with him.

Rather than become bitter because of something he said or did, I may have to ask for clarification and let him know of his offense against me.

I may have to ask him for forgiveness.

I may have to pull him away from his sin, so that he doesn't pull me in with him.

I may have to ask for help so that I don't go down the path of self-pity and loneliness.

I may have to offer help, rather than ignore his challenges.

"You shall not take vengeance."

If I love someone I won't seek to get even for a wrong they did.

"You shall not bear a grudge."

I will forgive him and not bring it up against him, before God, before myself or before others.

I will be patient.

I will be understanding.

I will be encouraging.

Love is more than Sunday dinner around the table - though food and fellowship are always helpful toward building relationships!

It's an attitude that permeates our interactions with others.