What Scripture Means by "Love" Your Neighbor

The word "love" is used several ways in Scripture.

For example, Matthew 22:37-40 tells us to love God and love our neighbor.

It explains that loving God involves heart, soul, and mind - complete devotion, affection, and commitment. The love we have for God should be higher than our love for anyone else (Luke 14:26).

But loving our neighbor is different. As Matthew 7:12 puts it:
"Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you." 

This doesn't mean having affection for them or devoting our lives to them.  We will always have the greater affection for family and friends. It means we treat others the way God wants us to treat them.

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 7:12

When we love our neighbors, we end up obeying all of the other commands (i.e. the Law and the Prophets).

With God's help, we can even love someone we don't really like!

And I think that's good news!
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This misunderstanding of love for neighbor leads to another misunderstanding explained here: Most Misused Scripture by Self-Esteem Advocates.

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