Several years ago I saw a billboard which headlined “Love Thy Neighbor.” It was an advertisement for a huge apartment complex as they sought to fill up with tenants. What really caught my eye was the picture under the words. It showed some people playing tennis. “Love” was a play on words for the tennis score. Kind of catchy, huh?
Unfortunately this kind of love is more true in our society than we would like to admit. Shallow relationships based on selfishness permeate our culture. “Tennis Score Love” bounces everywhere.
It is our responsibility to teach the world what real love is all about. Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35). The key is selfless love not selfish love. It begins in our home and should follow in the church with peace, unity, kindness, gentleness, forgiveness, commitment, forbearance, goodness, etc., even when someone doesn’t deserve it!
“Love thy neighbor as thyself” takes more then a good ‘backhand’. You must first know how to ‘serve’.
….Mike