Loving our neighbor as ourselves

November 21st, 2023
by Matt Dye

We, as a local body of followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, do covenant together to make disciples of all nations and to promote one another to good works and mature faith in Christ.

To this end, we promise to God and each other that we will:

Love our neighbors as ourselves (Luke 10:27)

Our modern culture is all about ‘self love.’ The world tells us that we have to learn how to love who we are and that we can’t love others until we fully love ourselves as we are. While we continue to reflect on each statement in our covenant as we celebrate 10 years as a church, is this what we mean by this statement in the M28 Church covenant? Not really!

How is love of self connected to love of neighbor according to Scripture? Of course, much could be said and I could preach a few sermons on this doctrine, but this love is based on directing self and neighbor to the Lord and His Word. There is no greater love than the Lord Himself, so He is the standard and the aim of all we do. Therefore, love of self and love of neighbor is to long that everyone might have the blessings that followers of Christ have by faith in Jesus! Love of neighbor is a love that proclaims that humanity can only and truly thrive as we seek to walk by faith in obedience to the Lord. This is why we share our faith and then direct all towards the truth of Scripture. The Bible gives us a full and comprehensive worldview and it is here that we love our neighbor as we lead them to submit to Christ and His Word.

I love that I know how the world began. I love that I know why man exists and what is the main purpose of humanity. I love that I know why we have different people groups all around the globe. I love that I have a moral ethic that brings freedom and isn’t constantly changing based on the whims of the culture. I love that I can know that God is One, but yet three Persons. I love that I know why I need God and how I can be reconciled to Him. I love that I know that salvation is in Christ and Christ alone by faith alone! I KNOW these things because God has revealed this to us in His Word. So - LOVE OF NEIGHBOR is to not only live by the Word, but to joyfully invite them to KNOW CHRIST and His Word!

I am thankful that many loved me enough years ago to share with me the greatest love and joy of the Gospel.

This is truly love of neighbor. A love that seeks all would know the joy of Christ and to hear the Gospel so they can thrive as they were intended to thrive as image bearers of their Maker.

Posted in Blog
Posted in Pastor Matt Dye, reflections, Church covenant