Love Your Neighbor as Yourself?

[WIP]

18 You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.
Leviticus 19:18 NKJV

16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
18 He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’
19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
Matthew 19:16-19 NKJV

The phrase, "Love your neighbor as yourself" is repeated also in the following places.
Matthew 22:39
Mark 12:31
Romans 13:9
Galatians 5:14
James 2:8

A question I have about this is, what if one doesn't love himself/herself? There are people that do not like themselves very much. They may even go so far as to hate themselves. How do we reconcile this with Jesus' command to love our neighbors as ourselves?

 

[WIP]

Is there a difference?

I believe there is. I don't even think we are capable of loving ourselves or each other as Christ loves us.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

I believe there is. I don't even think we are capable of loving ourselves or each other as Christ loves us.

What are the particulars? How is this different? Why did Jesus tell us to do so if we are incapable?

 

[D-D-W]

Is there a difference?

Of course. BIG difference. Our Lord's love was one of self-sacrifice expecting nothing in return. It is the difference between Phileo and Agape love.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

Of course. BIG difference. Our Lord's love was one of self-sacrifice expecting nothing in return. It is the difference between Phileo and Agape love.

Jesus said the man who lays down his life for his friend loves him the most. People have done this. It’s not impossible.

 

[D-D-W]

Jesus said the man who lays down his life for his friend lives him the most. People have done this.

And to that extent are loving as HE loved us.

 

[WIP]

What are the particulars? How is this different? Why did Jesus tell us to do so if we are incapable?

In the same way that He commands us to be holy as He is holy. Basically, He's setting the benchmark that we are to strive to achieve. He knows that we are not capable and that is why the Son was manifest in the flesh to be the ultimate sacrificial lamb of God. If we could achieve that kind of love, there would be no need for Jesus.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

In the same way that He commands us to be holy as He is holy. Basically, He's setting the benchmark that we are to strive to achieve. He knows that we are not capable and that is why the Son was manifest in the flesh to be the ultimate sacrificial lamb of God. If we could achieve that kind of love, there would be no need for Jesus.

Just for interest sake, this is not my worldview. I don’t say you’re wrong nor do I say I’m right. There are different flowers in the garden, each with its own fragrance and use. A wise man desires to understand those whose thinking doesn’t match his own.

My view is that each day and in various choices before me, that I seek to be holy or pleasing to Him in what or how I choose. The whole of a goal is beyond me. I seek to let each day’s challenges be sufficient for that day. This is not beyond me. I test myself to see where I am in the faith. I ask the Holy Spirit to search me and see if there is a wrong way in me. What I seek is to hear again from Him, “well done good and faithful servant.”

Just two days ago I was struggling with a potentially serious mistake I’d made. I sought His help. He said to trust Him. I was at peace but then started struggling again.

“Will you give me the gift of trusting Me? Wait three days,” He said. So I DETERMINED to trust Him. It meant I had to go about my duties and not allow my mind to think about the matter. Within that time period, the matter completely resolved itself. I did not hear “well done” because at one pressure point, I failed at the test. I wrongly took out my frustration on a totally different matter on my son. He has forgiven me but the loss due to my behavior is real. Essentially God tells me, “Don’t be dismayed. There’s good news and bad news. I have MORE tests for you.”

 

[LovethroughDove]

I was born to answer this one question. Romans 13:10

If we sincerely seek truth, if we sincerely want true love, the answer will be given.........Jesus

Jesus and the person of Jesus and his actions are the definition of love.

The is split into 2 groups.
1. Selfless and care more about receiving love and giving it out
2. Selfish and care more about being their own God and doing it "their way"

See, I've had discussions with people where I bring up the main reason Jesus is the Way. Because he says "love your enemy".....this is supernatural. The comeback of people is: Do you love the devil then? So I had to ask God what is my answer?

The answer: We (children of God) DO NO HARM. It's not that we love the devil, BUT it is that WE ARE LOVE. Love can just be what it is. Does that make sense? We can BE LOVE by doing no harm to others.

 

[LovethroughDove]

My answer to the OP: It's not about loving people or themselves for those who can't love thy neighbor. It's about control and being "their own God" and power

 

[Hopeful]

In the same way that He commands us to be holy as He is holy. Basically, He's setting the benchmark that we are to strive to achieve. He knows that we are not capable and that is why the Son was manifest in the flesh to be the ultimate sacrificial lamb of God. If we could achieve that kind of love, there would be no need for Jesus.

Jesus is indeed "setting the bench-mark", but via our rebirth from His seed we are capable of meeting that bench-mark.
We couldn't have been reborn without Jesus.

 

[jasonc]

A person raised in a abusive environment has to be taught what love is normally .

 

[Dorothy Mae]

A person raised in a abusive environment has to be taught what love is normally .

Can you explain in words what love is to such a person?

 

[Dorothy Mae]

I was born to answer this one question. Romans 13:10

If we sincerely seek truth, if we sincerely want true love, the answer will be given.........Jesus

Jesus and the person of Jesus and his actions are the definition of love.

The is split into 2 groups.
1. Selfless and care more about receiving love and giving it out
2. Selfish and care more about being their own God and doing it "their way"

See, I've had discussions with people where I bring up the main reason Jesus is the Way. Because he says "love your enemy".....this is supernatural. The comeback of people is: Do you love the devil then? So I had to ask God what is my answer?

The answer: We (children of God) DO NO HARM. It's not that we love the devil, BUT it is that WE ARE LOVE. Love can just be what it is. Does that make sense? We can BE LOVE by doing no harm to others.

You shall not see your brother’s ox or his sheep going astray, and hide yourself from them; you shall certainly bring them back to your brother. Njkv Deut 22

Were you a buddhist? Christ insists we help others, not refrain from harming (which is a buddhist concept.) A man can go his whole life doing no harm (theoretically) and never do a good thing for anyone. That man is NOT a follower of Christ.

 

[eddif]

18 You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.
Leviticus 19:18 NKJV

16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
18 He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’
19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
Matthew 19:16-19 NKJV

The phrase, "Love your neighbor as yourself" is repeated also in the following places.
Matthew 22:39
Mark 12:31
Romans 13:9
Galatians 5:14
James 2:8

A question I have about this is, what if one doesn't love himself/herself? There are people that do not like themselves very much. They may even go so far as to hate themselves. How do we reconcile this with Jesus' command to love our neighbors as ourselves?

Luke 14:26 kjv
26. If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

The neighbor of a disciple was other disciples and Jesus.

The neighbor of an (ordinary person) is another (ordinary person) and maybe a Believer yes, but close follower (disciple) with Jesus was in danger of death at crucifixion time.

The dispensation and condition of reference may be the confusion (if there is any real confusion).

The condition of empowerment for service is different in discipleship with Jesus, later Holy Spirit baptism as a witness, and non ministry people. The OT people are not quite on the same track. Different than gentiles? Yes. Living in a Jewish situation? Yes different.

Today the resurrection is not yet past, and the final changes are not yet made. We deal with others knowing all these things. We do not require total service of others and excuse ourselves.

The slave was not free and his service to God was service to his master.
Ephesians 6:5

Help or confuse more?

eddif

 

[LovethroughDove]

You shall not see your brother’s ox or his sheep going astray, and hide yourself from them; you shall certainly bring them back to your brother. Njkv Deut 22

Were you a buddhist? Christ insists we help others, not refrain from harming (which is a buddhist concept.) A man can go his whole life doing no harm (theoretically) and never do a good thing for anyone. That man is NOT a follower of Christ.

Hi! Nope, I have never been buddhist. We can help others, even unto "our" death. I'm not sure where in my post it looks like I said that we don't help others?

As for harming others......Jesus himself said it is not eye for eye, but if someone strikes your cheek give them the other.

 

[Christ_empowered]

Funny thing…

Some of Jesus’s commandments that I found so appealing before conversion…

I now find difficult as a believer.
Lol

Some lady was yelling from her patio at me about my HIV status the other night. I live in a modest but nice and safe area. I even have a nice view! So…

Love your enemies. Do it! Easier said than done. That’s part of the sanctification process. And…

Honestly? I thought back to was hen Jesus explains that one who has been forgiven much will be forgiven. So…

Truth? Never given treatment for HIV. At 38 that probably means about 20 years of 0 treatment…

But I was spared in my mess and I’m healthy now so…

Yeah. Forgive. Love. And…

I see now I have to lean on Him to do it even if the taunting never stops.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

Hi! Nope, I have never been buddhist. We can help others, even unto "our" death. I'm not sure where in my post it looks like I said that we don't help others?

The thought that the moral imperative is “do no harm” frees a man from doing any good and he can be completely selfish.

As for harming others......Jesus himself said it is not eye for eye, but if someone strikes your cheek give them the other.

Not resisting evil is different, which is the point of what he says.

 

[LovethroughDove]

The thought that the moral imperative is “do no harm” frees a man from doing any good and he can be completely selfish.

Not resisting evil is different, which is the point of what he says.

The scripture I posted is why I said what I said. Love is doing no harm. The law is summed up with "doing no harm to your neighbor". Do not steal, do not lie......etc.

I'm not sure where our wires are getting crossed? It sounds like you are saying we have to do harm to others to do good? Is that what you are saying? I would disagree. Now, if someone was gonna shoot another person.....I would jump in front of that bullet. (as a selfless act of God)

 

[Dorothy Mae]

The scripture I posted is why I said what I said. Love is doing no harm. The law is summed up with "doing no harm to your neighbor". Do not steal, do not lie......etc.

No, that is nowhere in scripture but this is the Buddhist view. The Bible says love your neighbor as yourself not doing nothing for anyone.

I'm not sure where our wires are getting crossed? It sounds like you are saying we have to do harm to others to do good?

Huh???

Is that what you are saying? I would disagree. Now, if someone was gonna shoot another person.....I would jump in front of that bullet. (as a selfless act of God)

Can you stick to normal interaction? Ignoring everyone around you including those in need is doing them no harm, but It is NOT what Christ taught. In your view those who ignored the injured man in the parable did right. They did him no harm and walked right by. Jesus didn’t think so.

 

[LovethroughDove]

No, that is nowhere in scripture but this is the Buddhist view. The Bible says love your neighbor as yourself not doing nothing for anyone.

Huh???

Can you stick to normal interaction? Ignoring everyone around you including those in need is doing them no harm, but It is NOT what Christ taught. In your view those who ignored the injured man in the parable did right. They did him no harm and walked right by. Jesus didn’t think so.

It is in the scripture I referenced. Romans 13:10

At this point I'm thinking you are trolling me.