When God gave us the Ten Commandments (not the Ten Suggestions!), He gave us distinct directions on how relationships work. He used the negative to help us understand the positive. The negative -don't steal, commit adultery, covet, murder, etc.; the positive - Leviticus 19:8, "love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus reinforced God's positive in Matthew 22:37,39 saying that the greatest commandment was to "Love God" and to "love our neighbor as ourself."
What does obedience to that command look like in daily life? Dr. James Boice suggests a few practical applications are: (1) listen to one another, (2) share with one another, (3) forgive one another, and (4) serve one another. Those are all positive.
Paul, in Romans 13:10, looks at the negative side by saying "Love does no harm to its neighbor (the one next to us)." "Harm" according to the Arndt and Gingrich "Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament" is that which is "injurious, dangerous, or pernicious." That covers a lot of territory in how we relate to people.
It is a choice to love people like God loves us and to not "harm" them. Will/does what I say, do and plan bring injury or harm to another? That is the question.
The early church was filled with diversity which gave opportunity for great harm to each other; yet, it was said of them, "How they love each other!" Are people who observe us at home, at work, at church, and on the sports field saying, "How they love each other" ? They can easily tell if we are bringing harm or love. The opportunity is there for either of those actions.
Today, let's choose to bring blessing and encouragement instead of harm and injury.
Loving Him and you, Bob
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Welcome to the table, friend!
This is where we gather and hang out. I'd love for you to pull up a chair and jump right into the conversation. Or simply say 'hello.'
l'll be dropping in to visit you sometime soon ...
Linda