Jesus said we should love our neighbour as ourselves (Luke 10:27). Upon declaring this, Jesus was asked the question, "Who is my neighbour?" Jesus then replied by telling the parable of the good Samaritan, recorded in Luke 10:29-37.
From this I understand that our neighbour is anyone who needs help, even our enemies and the stranger. These words of wisdom below, taken from Scripture, support this view:
- "If you love those that love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them" (Luke 6:32).
- "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men" (Luke 6:35).
- "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matt. 5:44).
- "Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you" (Luke 6:28).
- "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. For you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Father will reward you" (Prov. 25:21-22).
- "The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt; I Am the Lord your God" (Lev. 19:34).
- "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it" (Heb. 13:2).
- "Let all that you do be done in love" (1Cor. 16:14).
My Prayer
Holy Yahushua, thank you for all the blessings that we so richly receive out of Your hands. Thank you for Your Word that teaches us, that as Your followers, we are to love and have compassion on everyone, even those that hate us and persecute us. Father, as we are striving to do this in obedience to Your instruction, please help us to do everything we do for others out of love and not for self-gain. Aman.