Love God – Love Neighbor – Show Me The Signs – by Pastor Scott

Loving Neighbor – “Love does no harm”

In our small neighborhood cul-de-sac we have a lot of diversity (age, economic, ethnic, occupation, political & religious diversity).  Our home is “sandwiched” between competing signs and recently our mail box (that is attached with our neighbors) was torn down as a sign of disagreement or disapproval.  So, we now have the opportunity to practically demonstrate “love does no harm” to the competing values of our neighbors. I am confident that you too have similar opportunities to fulfill God’s call:

Romans 13:9-10

The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”

The Scriptures have much to say to us about both “loving God” and “loving neighbor” because they are inseparable; we cannot say that we love God while hating our neighbor (see 1 John 3:11-20 on how loving God and one another must be connected).

Loving God – “The Greatest Command”

One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.

All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” – Matthew 22:35-40 (also Mark 12:28-31)

“Do not seek bear a grudge against anyone among your people,

but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.” – Leviticus 19:18

The Fulfillment of God’s Commands:

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Galatians 5:13-14 (and Romans 13:9-10 above)

The practical choice to live God’s Word… (yet to be written) …and who is my neighbor? – Luke 10:25-29

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied. “How do you read it?”

He answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

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