“Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39

Have you ever stopped to consider the profound simplicity of these six words? When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment, He gave not one but two inseparable directives: love God completely and love your neighbor as yourself. This second command carries a depth that can transform our hearts and our entire communities.

What does it mean to love your neighbor as yourself? Jesus says the law is summed up in these two commands: to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind and to love your neighbor as yourself. Think about how you treat yourself—you would never steal from yourself or harm yourself. You wouldn’t be jealous of yourself or betray yourself. Loving your neighbor as yourself means extending this same care to others. When we love God and our neighbors this way, we fulfill the heart of the Ten Commandments.

But this command goes beyond just avoiding harm. It’s an active call to care for others with the same attention you naturally give yourself. You feed yourself when hungry, so Jesus calls you to feed others. You clothe yourself against the cold, so clothe others who need warmth. You take care of your essential needs, so help others with theirs, too.

Think about your daily routine. You drive yourself to appointments, church, or the grocery store. Could you offer someone a ride or pick up groceries for a friend who can’t get out? You rest when tired—could you provide rest for an overwhelmed mom by watching her children for an hour?

The truth is we love ourselves almost instinctively. We rarely have to remind ourselves to eat, rest, or seek comfort. What if our love for others became just as natural? What if meeting the needs of our neighbors became as automatic as meeting our own?

Real love isn’t just a feeling—it’s action. Jesus didn’t merely feel compassion; He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and ultimately gave His life. His love showed through tangible acts of service and sacrifice.

Today, look around at the neighbors God has placed in your life—not just those who live nearby, but coworkers, fellow church members, the barista who serves your coffee, and even those who test your patience. Ask yourself: “How would I want to be treated if I were in their situation?” Then, with God’s strength, do exactly that.

REFLECTION

Think of three ways you care for yourself regularly. Now, who in your life might need that same care? What one specific act of neighbor-love could you do this week that reflects how you’d want to be treated?

Many Blessings,

JJ Gutierrez

Average Christian Gal Who Loves Jesus & the Bible