Loving Others

Matthew 19:19 – “…T”hou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

Man by nature is a selfish creature. His philosophy of life is expressed in the words of the first murderer,”…am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen. 4:9). In today’s world we may expect to hear, “Every man for himself” or “After me, you come first.” But this is not the pattern of the Christian. As we grow in grace, we should begin thinking about others and less about ourselves. Paul says, “Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself….” (Rom. 15:2,3).

An incident is told about two soldiers who had recently been released from a prison camp in Siberia following World War II. “We did our best,” said an officer, “to repatriate the men as fast as possible, but many were still there when winter threatened to close up the port.” Only a limited number could board the last small boat. Among those waiting to be transported were two who had been chums all through the war. One of them was selected, but the other seemed doomed to remain behind. An order was given that those who were leaving could take only one important item of luggage.
The heart of the man who was chosen went out to his buddy, so he emptied his duffel bag of its prized souvenirs and his personal belongings and told his friend to get into the canvas sack. Then carefully lifting the bag on his shoulders, he boarded the ship. This man truly loved his neighbor as himself.

Let us examine our hearts and ask ourselves, “Do we put others needs on a plane with our own?” If not, we have not reached the level of love that God expects.