3-Day Bible Plan: How to Truly Love Thy Neighbor in Today’s WorldSample

• “If you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?” —Matthew 5:46
• “Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” —Romans 13:10
• “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” —Mark 16:15

Day 2: How to Love When You Disagree on Religion
Ah, religion. A topic that can bring us together or tear us apart—sometimes in the same conversation. Whether it’s debates over same-sex marriage, religious freedom, or the role of faith in public life, it’s easy to feel like your beliefs are under attack. It often feels like everyone’s got their own version of truth, and it’s hard to know where to find common ground.

But here’s the thing—Jesus didn’t call us to stay in our comfortable little bubbles of people who think exactly like us. No, Jesus was all about reaching across divides—even with people who were considered "outsiders."

"If you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?" —Matthew 5:46 (NASB 1995)

Jesus’ ministry was marked by connecting with people from all walks of life—sinners, outcasts, and even enemies—teaching us to love beyond comfort and convenience.

Take His encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:9). Samaritans and Jews did not get along. They were essentially sworn enemies. Yet Jesus, without hesitation, spoke to her, offered her grace, and extended love—without demanding that she agree with Him on every point. Imagine that! He didn’t need her to check all the theological boxes before He showed her kindness.

So, what does that mean for us today? Can we love those who follow a completely different religion—or even no religion at all? Can we set aside our differences long enough to show real love? Romans 13:10 says, “Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” That’s huge. Loving others isn’t about making sure everyone sees things exactly the way we do. It’s about showing compassion, kindness, and respect—even when our beliefs don’t match up.

What if instead of getting caught up in debates about who’s right or wrong, we focused on loving people where they are? What if, in every conversation, we approached others with love first, knowing that it’s not about winning arguments, but about reflecting the kind of love Jesus showed? It might not always be easy, but it’s what we’re called to do.

How to turn a religious argument into a conversation truly showing love for your neighbor:

Focus on the Gospel
Refer to Mark 16:15: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." Share the life, love, and message of Jesus—even if it’s just one short sentence. For example, “Jesus came to save us, to show us love, and to give us eternal life.” This is our calling as His followers and reflects the truest form of love.

Rely on the Holy Spirit
Let the Holy Spirit guide your words and tone. Avoid letting emotions like frustration or pride take over. Pray silently for wisdom and peace as you speak (John 14:26). The Spirit will help you communicate love, even in disagreement.

Speak with Grace and Kindness
Remember, love doesn’t seek to "win" arguments but to plant seeds of truth and hope. Approach the conversation with humility, kindness, and respect (Colossians 4:6).

And who knows? Maybe love really can break down those divides, one person at a time.

But what happens when loving your neighbor means stepping into conversations about race or identity? Can we approach this with grace, understanding, and a heart that reflects Jesus? Absolutely.

We’ll unpack this in Day 3: How to Love Your Neighbor When Race Creates Barriers. Let’s dive in.

Now that we’ve finished Day 2, let’s surrender it all to Jesus. Let’s ask for His wisdom and peace as we continue learning How to Love When You Disagree on Religion.

Here’s a video with a prayer focused on loving through disagreements in faith. Watch, reflect, and join in prayer as we ask Jesus to guide us toward unity.