“But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. ‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?’ And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.'”
—Matthew 22:34-40 (ESV)
In these last days, as the world grows darker with division and self-interest, our calling as followers of Christ is clearer than ever—we are to love. Jesus commanded us to love God with everything we have and to love our neighbor as ourselves. These two commandments are not separate but deeply connected. Our love for God should naturally flow into how we treat others.
But loving our neighbor is not always easy. The world encourages self-preservation, distrust, and fear. Many live by the mindset of looking out for themselves first. Yet, as believers, we are called to be different. Jesus tells us that love is the defining mark of His disciples (John 13:35). This love is not passive; it requires action, sacrifice, and intentionality.
How can we live out this command in a way that truly reflects Christ?
1. Practice Empathy
Loving our neighbor starts with understanding them. We live in a time of deep misunderstandings, where people are often quick to judge and slow to listen. Empathy means stepping into another person’s shoes, seeking to see the world from their perspective. It requires us to slow down, ask questions, and truly listen.
Jesus modeled this perfectly. When He met people, He didn’t just see their outward actions—He saw their hearts. He acknowledged their struggles, hurts, and hopes. We can do the same by engaging with others in a way that makes them feel heard and valued.
Keyphrase: Practice empathy.
2. Serve Selflessly
Jesus, the King of Kings, washed the feet of His disciples. He demonstrated that true love is not about status or position but about serving others. In a world that values self-promotion, we are called to selfless service.
Serving our neighbor might look like helping a struggling family, being there for a friend in need, or simply offering encouragement to someone who feels unseen. These acts of kindness, big or small, reflect the love of Christ.
Rather than waiting for opportunities to serve, we should actively seek them out. Love is not just a feeling—it’s an action. When we put others before ourselves, we embody the servant-hearted love of Jesus.
Keyphrase: Serve selflessly.
3. Build Bridges, Not Walls
Division is everywhere. Politics, social issues, and personal conflicts often create barriers between people. But Jesus calls us to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9). Instead of focusing on differences, we should seek common ground.
Loving our neighbor means treating them with respect, even when we disagree. It means choosing reconciliation over resentment. It means building relationships with people who may not share our background, beliefs, or experiences.
Jesus regularly reached across social and cultural divides. He ate with sinners, spoke with Samaritans, and extended grace to those the world rejected. If we follow His example, we will become bridge-builders in a world desperate for unity.
Keyphrase: Build bridges, not walls.
4. Extend Forgiveness and Grace
Few things display God’s love more than forgiveness. We live in a world that holds grudges, where people are quick to cancel one another over mistakes. But as believers, we are called to something higher.
Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” We forgive because we have been forgiven. Holding onto bitterness only hurts us. When we choose to release past offenses, we reflect the grace that God has shown us.
Forgiving does not mean ignoring wrongdoing, but it does mean choosing love over resentment. It means praying for those who have wronged us and seeking reconciliation whenever possible.
Keyphrase: Extend forgiveness and grace.
5. Pray for Our Neighbors
One of the most powerful ways to love our neighbor is to pray for them. Prayer is not a last resort—it is one of the greatest acts of love we can offer. When we intercede for others, we invite God’s presence into their lives.
Praying for our neighbors means more than just a passing thought. It means lifting their needs before God, asking for His blessing, and seeking His will in their lives. When we pray for others, our hearts soften toward them.
Jesus prayed for those who persecuted Him. He prayed for His disciples. He even prayed for those who nailed Him to the cross. If we want to love as He loved, we must pray as He prayed.
Keyphrase: Pray for our neighbors.
Loving Our Neighbor in a Hurting World
Loving our neighbor is not always convenient or comfortable. It may require sacrifice, patience, and humility. But it is the call of every believer. When we love selflessly, we reflect Christ to a world in desperate need of Him.
The days we are living in are uncertain, but one thing remains clear—God’s command to love has not changed. If anything, it is more urgent than ever. The way we love others can point them to the hope found in Jesus.
Let us be a people who practice empathy, serve selflessly, build bridges, extend forgiveness, and pray fervently. May our love shine so brightly that others see Christ in us. In these last days, may we love boldly, knowing that our actions have eternal impact.
Additional resources:
Christ-like humility in daily life
Politics and the last days
Good Neighbors imitate Christ – Love Worth Finding
