Real Hope: Loving Our NeighboursSample

Costly Love

In this discussion with Jesus about the greatest of God’s commandments, an expert in the law was more interested in justifying himself and his actions than seeking the heart of God. God created the ten commandments to guide His people in how to live radically differently to the people around – loving Him with all our hearts and showing others around us His world-changing, selfless love.

I wonder if we, like the man in this story, are also tempted to put limits on what God is calling us to do? Who is my neighbor? It’s much easier to show love to our friends, to those who are easy to get along with, at a time that is convenient to us. But the love Jesus displayed for us is a costly love, giving everything at great expense for people who were His enemies.

What if we, fueled by this love, took time to show love to people who are hard to love, at a time when it’s not convenient to us? What if we purposefully looked to include new people, those being left out, or people who think differently to us? What if we were gracious and gave people a second chance, or started to pray for those who have hurt us instead of seeking revenge? Costly love for our neighbors.

Perhaps then we would better reflect and point the way to a God who IS love.

Written by JODIE WILLIAMS