ForgivenessSample

The Second Greatest Commandment

Two longstanding neighbours had a dispute. Their disagreement was over a tree which grew between their houses. One neighbour preferred the flourishing boundary tree, while the other wanted it to be axed because of the bird droppings on their side of the house. The neighbour called a tree surgeon to resolve their dispute by cutting the tree in half. The half-chopped tree was an unusual sight to behold and the talking point of the neighbourhood.

When Jesus was asked which is the greatest commandment, he replied with two commandments, the first commandment is to love God and the second is to love our neighbour as ourselves.

How does love for ourselves influence our love for our neighbours?

Firstly, by recognising our inherent worth. We are created in God's image and, therefore, intrinsically valuable. In the same way, our neighbour, irrespective of what they have done, is made in God's image; therefore, they are valuable. Just as Christ died for our sins, so did Christ die for their sins.

Secondly, we know sometimes we fall short of being the person we ought to be. In the same manner, we need to be aware that there will be times our neighbours will fail to be the person they ought to be. We should never expect them to be perfect, just as we are not perfect.

Thirdly, when we make a mistake, we are generally patient with ourselves (sometimes finding excuses for our faults). Similarly, when our neighbour fails, we ought to be patient with them.

Fourthly, when we sin, we hate what we did, but it does not stop us from loving ourselves. In the same way, when our neighbour sins, we ought to hate what they did, but we should not stop loving them.

We hope they will become perfect one day, just as we hope we will be too.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to love others as I love myself. Help me to remember just as I need grace; my neighbour needs grace too.