You shall not see your countryman’s donkey or his ox fallen down on the road, and avoid them; you shall certainly help him raise them up. (v. 4)

Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘HEAR, ISRAEL! THE LORD IS OUR GOD, THE LORD IS ONE; AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’ The second is this: ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31)

For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” (Galatians 5:14)

This chapter talks about various laws. Whenever we read the laws in the OT, we must remember what God has done through Jesus Christ. The righteousness of God is about doing His will. It is about being one with God because only God is righteous. Without understanding God and knowing His will, there is no righteousness. Because of this, only the Son of God could solve the issue of our sins. This was planned before creation.

Christians around the world often misinterpret and misunderstand the meaning of true love. What God wants us to do is to love those who love Him. We do not know who are true Christians. Christians often think their church friends are their neighbors but it appears that churches around the world are full of false Christians who hate God’s words and teachings. Immoralities such as adultery are accepted and forgiven in churches around the world. Churches are proud of their immoral deeds. Ministers are happy as long as people offer money.

For you yourself hate discipline, and you throw My words behind you. When you see a thief, you become friends with him, and you associate with adulterers. (Psalm 50:17-18)

So who are our neighbors? The answer is written in Luke 10:30-37.

Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he encountered robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. And by coincidence a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan who was on a journey came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return, I will repay you.’ Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” And he said, “The one who showed compassion to him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.” (Luke 10:30-37)

When we read this, we must be careful not to interpret the passage that our neighbors are those who do good in the sight of the world. There are many non-Christians who do good work to other people. I am not belittling their kindness to others. But we need to understand that God’s love is the law and above the law. It is not about dos and don’ts. It is about the heart of flesh given by God. In other words, everyone in whom the Holy Spirit dwells loves God and His people naturally. If we rebel against God, God rebukes us and shows us the right way.

… and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, “MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE PUNISHED BY HIM; FOR WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE PUNISHES EVERY SON WHOM HE ACCEPTS.” (Hebrews 12:5-6)

We do not know who are our neighbors. We do what is right according to God’s words. We pray every day that God leads us to do the right things. If your church tolerates adultery or other immoral deeds, rebuke the leaders. Rebuke comes from true love. If they do not listen to you, leave your church and take the dust off your feet. If they do one thing wrong, it is likely that they do not follow sound doctrines.

And whoever does not receive you nor listen to your words, as you leave that house or city, shake the dust off your feet. Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment, than for that city. (Matthew 10:14-15)