Understanding the Law of Love Through Jesus’ Teachings
When we talk about love in the way Jesus taught, we’re not talking about warm fuzzy feelings or just being nice to people we already like. Real love, the kind that comes from God, leaves no room for prejudice. That means we can’t claim to have faith in God and then treat some people as less valuable than others. If we believe in God, we are called to fulfill what’s often called the “law of love”—to care for and value everyone, just as we value ourselves.
The Greatest Commandment: Love God, Love Others
One day, a religious scholar asked Jesus a big question: “Which commandment is the greatest?” Jesus responded by saying that the most important thing is to love God with all you have—your heart, your energy, your mind. But he didn’t stop there. Jesus added that the second most important commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. In other words, everything that the Bible teaches hangs on these two rules: love God and love people.
Who Is My Neighbor?
If you’re wondering who counts as your “neighbor,” Jesus answered this with the story of the Good Samaritan. In this story, a Jewish man was beaten up and left by the side of the road. Two religious leaders saw him but crossed the road to avoid helping. But a Samaritan—a person from a group that the Jewish people usually looked down on—stopped and took care of the injured man, even paying for his stay at an inn. Jesus then asked, “Who was the true neighbor?” The answer: the one who showed kindness and mercy.
Love in Action: Meeting Real Needs
The moral of the Good Samaritan story is that your neighbor is anyone who needs help that you have the ability to give. It could be as simple as helping someone pay for groceries, or comforting a mom whose baby is crying in public. Jesus himself said that the poor would always be with us, reminding us that there will always be chances to help those in need. This is what it looks like to put the gospel into action—reflecting God’s love by caring for people who are hurting or struggling.
Faith Without Favoritism
If we say we follow Jesus, we can’t play favorites based on what people look like, how much money they have, or any other outward thing. The book of James says that showing favoritism—especially in church—is not what God wants. Yes, it’s fine to show respect to others, but not in a way that leaves some people out or treats them unfairly. God doesn’t judge us by our status or wealth; He looks at our hearts and values faith and love above all.
The Royal Law: Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
The command to love our neighbor is called the “royal law” because it comes straight from God, the King of kings. If we act unjustly or unfairly, we break this law. And while good deeds matter, we can’t use them to cover up bad ones. Only Jesus’ mercy can make us right with God—our own efforts aren’t enough. But the good news is that God loves to forgive and bless anyone who turns to Him. When we receive His grace, we’re called to show the same mercy to others.
Putting It All Together
So, in simple terms, love leaves no room for prejudice. We’re called to treat every person we meet as someone worthy of love and respect, no matter their background or circumstances. This is how we reflect God’s heart to the world—not just with words, but with real actions. Whether in the church, on the street, or in our daily lives, let’s be people who love without limits or favoritism. That’s what it means to truly follow Jesus.
Blessings,
Minister A Francine Green
December 2925
afrancinegreen.com 