Loving our neighbor as ourselves is a tall order. We know that we love ourselves. In fact too often we are the center of our attention. It is what we are going through which is at the forefront and uppermost in our minds. Instead of what another is suffering. And God too often is not at the center for us.
Of course our love in Jesus starts with God. With our whole being and doing we’re to love God. And in and from that we’re then to love our neighbor as ourselves. Jesus included our enemies in that. We’re to love them, praying for them as well as doing good to them.
Contrast the love which characterizes the world. It is a love which delights in another for one’s own self interest. Love does delight in its object, but never at the expense of that object. In other words, we want the highest good for everyone if we’re living in the way of Jesus.
How we love is challenging and something we’re to grow in together in Jesus and for the world. It is the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, but something we have to work out. Beyond ourselves, but given to us from God in and through Jesus.
