Love Your Neighbor

Love your neighbor. The greatest commandment is to love God but there is a continuation to this thought. In answer to the question: "Which commandment is most important?"; Jesus said that to love God is first and then proceeded to further add in Mark 12:31 (NIV) "The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." The word 'neighbor' comes from the word 'near'. Your neighbor is not only the person that lives next door to you, but, anyone who is in close proximity to you. This could include friends, fellow countrymen, co-workers, associates, and acquaintances. Anyone you come in contact with or that would be in your circle of contact. To all of these, whether man, woman, boy, or girl we are to demonstrate pure love. In the story that Jesus told about the Good Samaritan, (Luke 10:25-37) he pointed out that the neighbor was the one who had mercy and cared for the person in need, who had been beaten, robbed, and left for dead. In love, he reached out and expressed love and care to this stranger simply because their paths crossed and there was a need to be met. We are to do the same in showing love. Love your neighbor.