“The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” – Mark 12:31
Our Lord, Jesus Christ, called those who follow Him to not only love God with all their “heart, soul, and mind” but to also love their neighbors as themselves. So, who are these “neighbors” that Jesus is talking about?
Our neighbors are those who are around us daily, those who live in our state and in our country, with no restrictions of race, social status, or background (Luke 10:25-37). In other words, our neighbors are the very people who make up our society and culture around us. As believers, we can love our neighbors in a variety of ways. Such as caring for the homeless, feeding the hungry, clothing the needy, and much more.
However, interestingly enough, one of the best ways we as believers in Christ can portray neighborly love is by advocating for God-honoring legislation. By engaging in governmental activity and influencing our national and state government to pass righteous laws for all people, we are in essence advancing human flourishing, prosperity, and freedom for our neighbors.
Even when our neighbors disagree with the righteous legislation we are promoting, we are still portraying neighborly love by advancing that legislation as our neighbors will reap the benefits of a state and nation that aligns its laws with God’s Word. Let us love our neighbors by promoting God-honoring legislation in the Commonwealth.
LET US PRAY…
Father, help us to love You with all of our heart, soul, and mind, and to also love our neighbors as ourselves. Lord, empower us to love our neighbor by faithfully promoting legislation throughout the Commonwealth that honors You. Father, may You be glorified in all of our efforts to love and care for our neighbors. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
