Created to Love Others

Mark 12:28-34
28 One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, "What commandment is the foremost of all?"

29 Jesus answered, "The foremost is, 'HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD;
30AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.'

31 "The second is this, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

32 The scribe said to Him, "Right, Teacher; You have truly stated that HE IS ONE, AND THERE IS NO ONE ELSE BESIDES HIM;

33AND TO LOVE HIM WITH ALL THE HEART AND WITH ALL THE UNDERSTANDING AND WITH ALL THE STRENGTH, AND TO LOVE ONE'S NEIGHBOR AS HIMSELF, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."

34When Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, He said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." After that, no one would venture to ask Him any more questions.


"Love your neighbor" is a biblical mandate and the foundation of the Golden Rule. But the phrase isn't complete without the two words that follow it. The complete verse reads, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:31, emphasis added). We're to be vessels for pouring out the Father's love to others. So, we must treat people the way we want to be treated.

Regardless of our actions or feelings, God is completely in love with us. The proof is in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." And, He did this while all human beings were still His enemies (Romans 5:8-10). No one is worthy of the sacrifice Christ made. But from God's perspective, we are worth it. If He considers each of us that valuable, then we ought to look at others the same way.

Experiencing God's love should inspire us to love our neighbors and everyone else in our sphere of influence—no matter how difficult that may be. Throughout the four gospels, Jesus repeated the command to His disciples. He knew how often His followers, both then and now, would encounter people who are difficult to love. But, the reality is, we are most like God when we serve others and place their interests above our own.

We will certainly come across some people who seem unlovable. But, the commandment still stands: we're to love them as ourselves. This is a powerful evangelism tool. Few can resist the attraction of a loving friend acting on God's behalf. Think of someone in your life today who needs God's love, and put the Golden Rule into action.