Devotion for Monday, May 11, 2026

“The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:31).

Who is my neighbor?  Whomever I am with in the moment, that is my neighbor.  I do not have to like them.  Often, I do not.  But they are my neighbor.  If by love we mean to have fond feelings for them, that denies the reality that I have been loving myself my whole life and there are many times when I do not like myself.  Love cares for the other as God cares for us all. Learn to love as God loves, for God is love.

Lord, You know how befuddled we have become in this age with all its romantic ideas.  You so love the world – hating the sin that rules – that You have done what needs to be done so that we can be lifted out of the mire of sin and come into Your love.  Guide me out of the mess of thinking that pollutes my mind so that I may humbly walk in the way of truth, loving You and my neighbor as You lead me to love.

Lord Jesus, You teach us that all the commandments are wrapped up in this.  Teach me all that this means.  Guide me in living according to this commandment with what You intend and not with what I think or feel.  Help me today and each day that You give me in this age to grow in the love You intend for me to have for You and for others.  Lead me in the way of love, Lord.  Amen.