Love Your Neighbor
- Feb 12, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Feb 13, 2024
INTRODUCTION :
Currently we are focusing on biblical truths we can learn about the word Love, because why not? It’s February! Last week we took a look at the source of love (God) and the call to love. This week we are looking at loving your neighbor and the practical application of love languages.
Let's start by revisiting The Greatest Commandment in Mark 12:29-31
Mark 12:29-31 Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Remembering what we discussed and learned last week in verses 29-30…
Through these words, we see that we are called to Love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.
This means we are to love God with our whole being, both physical and spiritual, including our emotions, our thoughts, our intellect, our words and our actions.
We must first receive the love of God through Jesus before we can love God as we are called to. We cannot love God if we do not know and love His son.
Now let’s look at the second part- Love your neighbor in vs 31…
The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
The Pharisee who tested Jesus did not ask about the "two greatest commandments." He asked for Jesus' take on which was the single greatest. Jesus, though, decides the second commandment is so essential that it must be mentioned along with the first one.
Both commands focus solely on what a person does with his or her affection and attention and actions. The greatest command is to love God with every aspect of our being. The second greatest commandment, Jesus says, is similar to the first commandment, likely because it is about who and how we love: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
The last part of this commandment assumes a fact of human nature: that human beings naturally love and care for themselves. This perspective is the basis for what has come to be known as the Golden Rule even though it is not officially called that, but your first grade teacher probably called it that. Jesus taught this in His sermon on the mount, and it helps to explain what it means to love another as we love ourselves:
Matt 7:12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
So… who is your neighbor? The short answer can be found in the story of the Samaritan in
READ - Luke 10:29-37.
The bottom line of this teaching…
Our neighbor is anyone in our proximity with whom we can share God’s love. We are called not only to love those who are similar to us or with whom we are comfortable, but all whom God places in our path.
So how do we do that? Let's look at a practical way to do that through “Love Languages” ....
While the term “Love Languages” is not directly mentioned in the Bible, the concepts are there and Jesus did an incredible job showing us how to use them. It’s also worth noting that the Bible talks about four unique forms of love, communicated through at least four Greek words (Eros, Storge, Philia, and Agape), which are characterized by romantic love, family love, brotherly love, and God’s divine unconditional love.
The term “Love Languages” was coined by author and teacher Gary Chapman in his book “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts”. According to Chapman, everyone receives love in at least one of five ways:
Words of Affirmation: Actions don’t always speak louder than words. If this is your love language, unsolicited compliments mean the world to you. Hearing the words, “I love you,” are important—hearing the reasons behind that love sends your spirits skyward. Insults can leave you shattered and are not easily forgotten. You thrive on hearing kind and encouraging words that build you up.
Quality Time: In Quality Time, nothing says, “I love you” like full, undivided attention. Being there for this type of person is critical, but really being there—with the TV off, fork and knife down, and all chores and tasks on standby—makes you feel truly special and loved. Distractions, postponed activities, or the failure to listen can be especially hurtful. Whether it’s spending uninterrupted time talking with someone else or doing activities together, you deepen your connection with others through sharing time.
Acts of Service: Can helping with the dishes, the laundry, the cooking, homework really be an expression of love? Absolutely! Anything you do to ease the burden of responsibilities weighing on an “Acts of Service” person will speak volumes. The words he or she most wants to hear: “Let me do that for you.” Laziness, broken commitments, and making more work for them tell speakers of this language their feelings don’t matter. When others serve you out of love (and not obligation), you feel truly valued and loved.
Receiving Gifts: Don’t mistake this love language for materialism; the receiver of gifts thrives on the love, thoughtfulness, and effort behind the gift. If you speak this language, the perfect gift or gesture shows that you are known, you are cared for, and you are prized above whatever was sacrificed to bring the gift to you. A missed birthday or a hasty, thoughtless gift would be disastrous—so would the absence of everyday gestures. Gifts are heartfelt symbols to you of someone else’s love and affection for you.
Physical Touch: A person whose primary language is Physical Touch is, not surprisingly, very touchy. Hugs, pats on the back, and thoughtful touches on the arm—they can all be ways to show excitement, concern, care, and love. Physical presence and accessibility are crucial, while neglect or abuse can be unforgivable and destructive. Appropriate and timely touches communicate warmth, safety, and love to you.
CONCLUSION:
(Dr. Sean McDowell) defines love- love is when you make a person's physical, emotional and spiritual development as important as your own.
These Love languages are practical ways in which we can learn to communicate with those we have relationships with. It is about learning how they most feel loved, understood and respected. The love languages can also help us understand when someone in our lives is trying to show us love in a way we aren’t fluent in and help us be a better receiver. Using a gift giver for example… We know how best to let them know they are loved by us (give them gifts) and we can receive their intent to show us love, even if it isn't our primary love language.
True Godly love is always about the other person - never about what we get in return.
Today’s Scripture References:
Mark 12:29-31
Matthew 7:12
Luke 10:29-37
Thoughts/Questions To Consider:
If you type in Love One Another to a bible app, you will get 20 plus results with that exact phrasing. Can you recall any? Have any favorites?
Take the Love Language test on our website.
Based off what we have learned today, what are the love languages of the people you interact with on a regular basis?