Proverbs of a 40 yr old man
Love your neighbor. How do I show love to my neighbor? Is it by meaningful words or extravagant giving? Is it by caring for their needs as much as I care for my own? All these are great ways to show love to your neighbor. One I want to focus on in particularly though is loving and caring for your neighbors soul. The Apostle Paul talks about it as the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. To care for the heart and conscience of another. What you are strong in others may be weak. We show love to our neighbor by caring about their eternal salvation more than if they don't see things our way. If I love my neighbor I will not steal from them lest I bring shame to Christs holy work in me. If I love my neighbor I will not covet the things they have. Their house, their spouse, their money, their valuable things, lest I stir evil and trouble in my neighbors heart and life because of my pride and lack of self control. Same thing for a beautiful woman or handsome man to be modest and protect their neighbor from destructive lust that tempts the eyes. Don't cause others to fall and be a stumbling block to their growth and relationship with Jesus. Do not destroy with your zeal the one for whom Christ died. Do not let your good be spoken of as evil. But do help others to grow and be sensitive to their doubts. Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Amen. Love your neighbor is such a profound message that we need Holy Spirit daily to renew us in this. Starting in Matt. 5:20, Jesus says For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. Amen. Jesus is concerned with even how we speak about our neighbor, that we don't speak condemnation and insults. Remember Jesus is the defender of those we are insulting. Even our enemies He calls to love and to try to reconcile with. Wicked people know how to love each other and enjoy their sins together. How much more do we who are righteous grow in wisdom and honor on how we to care for our neighbor. Love your neighbor as yourself is a loaded statement that when you begin to unpack blows your mind away with Gods grace. You start to see the power of Gods commandment stirred by the Spirit of Christ in you. If I love my neighbor I will care about their soul, their heart, their mind, and their strength. I want them to have success and prosper not just in good health and wealth, but more importantly for their soul to prosper as well. Jesus said, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Amen. Yes, unselfishly seek the best or the higher good for others. And yes, you are your brother and your sister's keeper. They are your neighbor.
Study Lev. 19:18
https://biblehub.com/leviticus/19-18.htm
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