WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?

[jeremiah1five]

WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?

THIS is my neighbor:

The Original Command of God to His people.

17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother [member of the same tribe] in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour [member of another tribe situated by God living next to another Covenant tribe], and not suffer sin upon him. 18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people [member of any tribe], but thou shalt love thy neighbour [member of another tribe situated by God living next to another Covenant tribe] as thyself: I am the Lord.
Lev. 19:17–18.

God situated the twelve tribes of the House of Israel around the Tabernacle. Three tribes to the north, three tribes to the east, three tribes to the south, and three tribes to the west. There were no Gentiles [Goyim] anywhere near as they had been destroyed by God through Joshua.

We have established Jesus didn’t change the Law where this Law is concerned the command remains: Brethren are to love brethren ONLY.

But what about the Samaritan? He was also in Covenant with God along with the priest and Levite. John 4:3-26

Yet in the Church the teaching of who is my neighbor is in error. Believers are taught to love the unsaved enemies of God. The teaching to “love your neighbor” is understood in the Church as unsaved people that live down the street or in the house or apartment next to you. To take this as the truth is either that Jesus changed the Law of God or that we are misunderstanding the original command (I doubt Christians even know where this original Law is found.)

15 Love not the world [unbelievers], neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world [unsaved], the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 1 Jn 2:15–16.

There is no redundancy here. We are not instructed to not love the planet or the things in the planet. The word “world” (Gr. Kosmos) also refers to the inhabitants as per Strong’s Greek/Hebrew. So, using ‘inhabitants’ makes more sense than ‘planet’ (the first earth day, huh?)

Did Jesus change the Law?

43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Mt 5:43–48.

Jesus Christ was Prophesied as a “prophet like unto me [Moses] taken from among their brethren (Covenant twelve tribes).” John the Baptist and Jesus Christ declared that Messiah was sent to Israel (Covenant) and to the lost sheep of the House of Israel (Covenant).

31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. Jn 1:31.

24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Mt 15:24.

The background: Even while under Roman conquest Israel which consisted of two kingdoms Northern and Southern were still at odds with each other. There was still animosity between the twelve tribes. Jesus is trying to get brethren who loved only brethren of the same tribes to love their neighbor who were members of the other warring tribes. This is the context of Jesus’ words to “love [your] neighbor.” He did not instruct Israel of twelve tribes to love the Pagan, heathen Romans, or Assyrians, or Babylonians, or any other non-Covenant person or group of persons.

So, what about the world of unsaved, reprobate, unbelieving non-Covenant heathen enemies of God?

We are to “RESPECT” them.

Throughout Scripture God declares “Behold!” many times to His Covenant people. He even repeats Himself. But taking the English word “re-spect” which is compound of two words to make one word: “re” meaning “again” and “spect” meaning “to look.” Thus, we are to “look again” [respect] at who we are dealing with and to act accordingly. After all, there is reason why we are to test the spirit whether they are of God.” 1 John 4:1-2.

Thus, Jesus didn’t change the Law but upheld it. As the original command instructs Israel to love brethren ONLY.
Jesus Christ gives His people the same command, for Christians in Covenant with God to love fellow Christians in Covenant with God.

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. Jn 13:34–35.

We should not call just anyone "my brethren" until we first know whether or not they are true brethren and we have the same Father.

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Mt. 5:48.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

So, what about the world of unsaved, reprobate, unbelieving non-Covenant heathen enemies of God?

Love them, too:

10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith. Galatians 6:10

 

[jeremiah1five]

Love them, too:

10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith. Galatians 6:10

You’re disobeying the original command and Jesus’ upholding of that command.
Loving God’s enemies is treason to your King.
You need to be discipled in this teaching of Scripture.

 

[WIP]

You’re disobeying the original command and Jesus’ upholding of that command.
Loving God’s enemies is treason to your King.
You need to be discipled in this teaching of Scripture.

What original command are you speaking of?

Jesus did say....
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect."
Matthew 5:43-48 NKJV

Paul also wrote this...
Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:19-21 NKJV

 

[jeremiah1five]

What original command are you speaking of?

Leviticus 19:17-18. God commands His Covenant people Israel to love their brethren of all 12 tribes. God never commanded Israel to love the Gentiles outside His Covenant.

Jesus did say....
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect."
Matthew 5:43-48 NKJV

Israel's Messiah was Promised to Israel. Jesus Christ is from the tribe of Judah.
Jesus Christ was sent to Israel as Promised by God:

31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. Jn 1:31.

Jesus Christ came to His people to teach the way of God more perfectly to God's Covenant people Israel. The 'enemy' Jesus is referring is not the Romans but each member of tribes that made up the Northern and Southern Kingdoms. There was still longing for the kingdom when Christ arrived and they were still enemy to each other: Ten tribes to the North, and Two tribes to the South. They were enemies among themselves. Jesus is teaching ISRAEL to love ISRAEL, that's what Israel's King is teaching His people.
To take Christ's command for Covenant Israel and now the Church is to teach Jesus changed the Law which states Israel is to love Israel and now the Covenant people of God are to love everyone who is NOT a child of God in Covenant with God.
To love those NOT in Covenant with God as the ORIGINAL command orders is to love God's enemies and treason to the King of Israel of whom He died for God's Elect.
To love non-Covenant people is to teach Jesus CHANGED the original command in Leviticus 19:17-18.
To love the unsaved enemies of God (non-covenant) is to cast your pearls to swine and give that which is holy to dogs (non-covenant.)

Paul also wrote this...
Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:19-21 NKJV

The Scripture, the Word of God is written to believers in Covenant with God (saved). It was not written to the world.
Paul's epistles as well as all the New Testament is written to believers at Rome. He writes to the Church at Ephesus, Corinth, Philippi, Thessalonica, NOT to the world at Rome, or the world at Ephesus, etc.

1 PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Eph 1.

Learn something.

 

[WIP]

Leviticus 19:17-18. God commands His Covenant people Israel to love their brethren of all 12 tribes. God never commanded Israel to love the Gentiles outside His Covenant.

Israel's Messiah was Promised to Israel. Jesus Christ is from the tribe of Judah.
Jesus Christ was sent to Israel as Promised by God:

31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. Jn 1:31.

Jesus Christ came to His people to teach the way of God more perfectly to God's Covenant people Israel. The 'enemy' Jesus is referring is not the Romans but each member of tribes that made up the Northern and Southern Kingdoms. There was still longing for the kingdom when Christ arrived and they were still enemy to each other: Ten tribes to the North, and Two tribes to the South. They were enemies among themselves. Jesus is teaching ISRAEL to love ISRAEL, that's what Israel's King is teaching His people.
To take Christ's command for Covenant Israel and now the Church is to teach Jesus changed the Law which states Israel is to love Israel and now the Covenant people of God are to love everyone who is NOT a child of God in Covenant with God.
To love those NOT in Covenant with God as the ORIGINAL command orders is to love God's enemies and treason to the King of Israel of whom He died for God's Elect.
To love non-Covenant people is to teach Jesus CHANGED the original command in Leviticus 19:17-18.
To love the unsaved enemies of God (non-covenant) is to cast your pearls to swine and give that which is holy to dogs (non-covenant.)

The Scripture, the Word of God is written to believers in Covenant with God (saved). It was not written to the world.
Paul's epistles as well as all the New Testament is written to believers at Rome. He writes to the Church at Ephesus, Corinth, Philippi, Thessalonica, NOT to the world at Rome, or the world at Ephesus, etc.

1 PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Eph 1.

Learn something.

Are you saying believers could be enemies as well?

 

[jeremiah1five]

Are you saying believers could be enemies as well?

Oh, yeah.
Just as it was with Israel in Covenant through the ages.
But our advantage is the Holy Spirit in us who deals with our conscience and mind if we let Him.
All the Old Testament saints had was the letter of the Law.