Love thy neighbour - sharing love and kindness

Further reading: Mark 12:30-31, 1 Timothy 6:18, John 15:12 and Galatians 5:13-14

Who doesn't like to think they're the sort of person who is always around to help someone out? A stranger behind you in a shop - hold the door open for them. Someone you recognise needs help crossing the road - help them across. A friend or family member is ill and can't get out - go and get their shopping. That's what being a kind and caring human is all about isn't it? Until it's a situation outside your comfort zone!

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12

Someone from a church not far from the one I attend told me a story of when their current pastor came to the church and delivered his first sermon. It was based on 'love they neighbour' when part way through a tramp came in (his words not mine - I wouldn't be that rude), and sat down in a pew.

Let each of us please his neighbour for his good, leading to edification. Romans 15:2

The tramp was scruffily dressed and smelled so bad that the people in that pew moved. The tramp, probably not wanting to sit alone, moved to another pew and the same thing happened. At the end of the sermon, the pastor revealed that the tramp wasn’t really a tramp but a member of his family who had attended in disguise to see if the congregation really did love thy neighbour!

And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all our mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this; You shall love your neighbour as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these. Mark 12: 30-31

It got me to thinking, if Jesus came back and you didn’t know who he was, supposing he asked you for some money, a sandwich or shelter, and you refused and then found out who he was, how would you feel? There are many verses in the bible telling us to love thy neighbour so maybe with the world being in the current state, it’s time to be kinder to people. Lend a hand, listen to a problem, help someone out, buy someone a sandwich or a coffee and don’t be mean with your words, your actions or your time. In other words, love your neighbour. The line between you having all that you need and being the next person who needs help from someone is very thin indeed and we all need more love and kindness in this world.

For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbour as yourself." Galatians 5:13-14

Feel free to share your thoughts and comments below. May your day be blessed with love and peace.

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