THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR AS THYSELF

The Lord Jesus and the apostle Paul both indicated that this commandment summarises all the instructions that govern our relationships with our fellow men, Matt. 22. 40; Rom. 13. 9; Gal. 5.14. It is extremely demanding because, within us all, there is the innate desire to put self first. We expect others to show def­erence to us! This commandment strikes at the very heart of that way of thinking. ‘Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others’, Phil. 2. 4.

The immediate context gives clear guidance about what is involved in loving our neighbour as ourselves. It means that in money matters we will never try to take advantage of him, Lev. 19. 13. It means that if he has disabilities we will never be so unkind or insensitive as to have fun at his expense, v. 14. It means that we will be absolutely fair in our dealings with him, neither favouring the poor because he is the underdog, nor pre­ferring the rich because of his station in life, v. 15. It means that we will never gossip, or commit perjury to damage him, v. 16. It means that, if he is objectionable, we will never let the embers of hatred smoulder, but rather rebuke him appropriately, v. 17. It means that the desire to get even with him will be alien to us, v. 18; ‘thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself’.

The question was asked one day, ‘And who is my neigh­bour?’ Luke 10. 29. In the resulting story, the Lord Jesus made clear that the word ‘neighbour’ embraces anyone who needs our help and not just the people whose homes adjoin ours. For Him, neighbours were not only the citizens of His hometown Naza­reth, but people like the Gadarene. He had to pass through a great storm to release him, Mark 4-5. They were people like the woman of Sychar. He was ‘wearied with his journey’ to reach her, John 4. 6. They were people like Zacchaeus. He risked severe criticism in order to bless him, Luke 19. 7. They were people like us. He had to die on a cross to save us! He loved His neigh­bour as Himself.

James described this commandment as ‘the royal law’, Jas. 2. 8. If you fulfil it, ‘ye do well’. It can only be done at consider­able personal sacrifice.