Key Verse: "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy."
- Matthew 5:43 KJV
"Love your neighbor." Perhaps he rolls in riches—and you
are poor, and living in your little cottage side-by-side with his lordly
mansion. Every day you see his estates, his fine linen, and his sumptuous
banquets. God has given him these gifts, covet not his wealth, and think no
hard thoughts concerning him. Be content with your own lot, if you cannot
better it—but do not look upon your neighbor, and wish that he were as
yourself. Love him—and then you will not envy him.
Perhaps, on the other hand, you are rich—and near you reside the poor. Do not scorn to call them neighbor. Own that you are bound to love them. The world calls them your inferiors. In what are they inferior? They are far more your equals—than your inferiors, for "God has made of one blood all those who dwell upon the face of the earth." It is your coat which is better than theirs—but you are by no means better than they. They are men, and what are you more than that? Take heed that you love your neighbor even though he is in rags, or sunken in the depths of poverty.
But, perhaps, you say, "I cannot love my neighbors, because for all I do—they return ingratitude and contempt." So much the more room for the heroism of love. Would you be a feather-bed warrior, instead of bearing the rough fight of love? He who dares the most, shall win the most; and if your path of love is rough—tread it boldly, still loving your neighbors through thick and thin. Heap coals of fire on their heads, and if they are hard to please, seek not to please them—but to please your Master. Remember, that if they spurn your love, your Master has not spurned it, and your deed is as acceptable to Him as if it had been acceptable to them. Love your neighbor-for in so doing you are following the footsteps of Christ.
Are you Saved?
