Do I Really Need To Love My Neighbour?
Written by Lucy Honeysett
The recent wave of violence and disorder across the UK has been shocking. Perhaps like me, you watched the news feeling at a loss to see riots, racism and hatred fill our streets. Locally we have a hotel that is home to asylum seekers. Sadly people have gathered outside shouting abuse at these dear people; many of whom are children, and every one of them made in God’s image and loved by Him. We are grateful to God that the situation seems to have settled for now.
But, this all got me thinking…
Do I really need to love my neighbour?
How can we love others, especially if they have such different views to us? 1 John 4:19 tells us, “We love because he first loved us.” It is the effectual love of God that first changes our hearts in order to make us capable of love. God makes us capable of love — it’s not all down to me! It’s His example of love that reminds us again and again of our need to love other people.
How can I love and comfort my neighbour when the situation feels so big and out of hand?
2 Cor 1: 3-4 says ‘Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God’. Aren’t you thankful that it’s not about our effort and ability to be loving and provide comfort? It’s all about what God gives us. Ephesians 2:8-10 shows us that God plans moments for us to show love and do good work: ‘You have been saved by grace through believing. You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from God. It was not the result of your own efforts, so you cannot brag about it. God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing’ (NCV).
I wonder if those around us who are scared, whose lives are at risk, and who feel unwelcome in the UK know they are loved by God and us?
I wonder if those around us who are expressing hatred towards others know they are loved by God and us?
We pray that the situation remains settled in the UK. But we know many have always felt unwelcome and they continue to be vulnerable. We know many will continue to feel hatred. And if we’re honest, we know we’re capable of this too, if left to our own desires and devices. But by faith, not by our own effort, Jesus has washed us clean, set us apart, cleansed us from all unrighteousness so that we can show and share this remarkable love of Christ to others.
Within Christians in Care, I see firsthand just how full of compassion and kindness carers are and how God equips carers day and night. He prepares this good work for us and gives us all we need to do this good work. So, come on, let’s do it!
Further information
If you would like ideas about how you could show Christian love to refugees and those seeking asylum, please do check out Welcome Churches: https://www.facebook.com/WelcomeChurches or their website: https://welcomechurches.org/
If you would like to hear how you can best pray for the police at this time, do check out the Christian Police Association on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristianPoliceAssociation or their website: https://cpauk.net/