“Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law found in the Scriptures: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law” (NIV)

When I saw the Scripture assigned to me for today’s devotional, I was pretty excited. “Love your neighbor as yourself” is something I would wear on a t-shirt, stand on a soapbox to preach about, and reference as a reason for the volunteer work that I do (and the social work I did before having kids). So, I was feeling like Tom Hank’s character in You’ve Got Mail when he gets asked for advice on Meg Ryan’s struggling business and is eager to impart his wisdom.  

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I was riding high on my others-loving, but also self-righteous horse, until the Lord stopped me in my tracks at the bus stop this morning. It started as just a passing thought about another parent who was also dropping off their kid, one whom I’d heard, from my kid, talks about inappropriate things while walking home from school. As the judgy thoughts entered my mind, the Holy Spirit whispered, “Are you loving that neighbor?”

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Now, I didn’t shout condemnation out my window at her, and if her child was injured on the road, I am certain I would help, but my thoughts about them weren’t loving. My heart posture toward another mother who is likely trying her best, just like I am, was one of judgment, not love. Wouldn’t I want her to give me the benefit of the doubt if she observed my child behaving badly or me yelling?

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It occurred to me in that moment that I may not go out of my way to love my neighbor like the good Samaritan did if I am too busy judging them. We can be guilty of deciding which neighbors are worthy of our love and help. Will I help my hungry neighbor if I think she used her money to buy drugs? Or my divorced neighbor who had an affair? We must have the love of the Father in us so that it flows out from our thoughts to our actions, that our neighbors would know we are Christians by our love.  

The verse we read today in James references Leviticus 19:18, which says, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself.” Holding a grudge against someone happens in your mind and your heart, but it can also spill over into how you treat a person.  

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While the command here instructs Israel on how to treat their literal neighbors, other Israelites, we know that Jesus expanded this definition when he told the story of the Good Samaritan who showed compassion, despite being a member of the group who was despised. Jesus said that the first and greatest commandment is to love God with all that we are. The second, he says, is to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:37-39). Love for God is first, and out of that love we are able to love others.  

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Jesus taught that the definition of neighbor is very broad, and often includes people we are last to consider. How can you have a more compassionate heart-posture today toward your literal neighbors? Maybe the ones with the junk in the yard, playing loud music, or with a bumper sticker you dislike? Where might God be calling you to extend mercy and compassion to someone with your actions? Or maybe in my case, just be more loving in how you think about the woman dropping her kid off at the bus stop?

Lord, I ask that today you would help me to see and love my neighbors as you see and love them. Remove my critical and selfish spirit and replace it with one of curiosity and compassion. Forgive me for my judgmental thoughts toward my neighbor, who is also your precious child. We can only love, God, because you first loved us. Align my thoughts with your thoughts, my heart with your heart. When I want to assume and judge, let me give people the benefit of the doubt and extend mercy whenever possible. Your Son Jesus always looked out for the least and the last; help me to do that same in my neighborhood, my school, my job, and the church. In his mighty name I pray, Amen.