Regardless of religious upbringing, personal beliefs, or denomination practiced, most people in the world are familiar with the “Golden Rule.” It’s generally stated as “treat others the same way you want to be treated” or “love your neighbor as yourself.” It’s likely some people don’t even recognize it as a biblical principle; many simply see it as a good moral code or the “right” way to behave. It’s taught to children at a young age, and most adults accept it as the decent thing to do.

This gilded directive is actually found in both the Old and New Testaments, and it’s written into scripture at least ten times, even more if you consider slight variations that carry the same meaning. It’s underscored not only by repetition, but also by being called the second-most important commandment, following the first: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:28-31). And the edict is wholly encompassed in 1 John 3:11, which says, “For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.” As well, Galatians 5:14 says, “For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

I think it’s safe to say that God cares very deeply about the way we treat one another, and He’s clearly sending a message that He wants us to care about it as much as He does. We are supposed to love one another. 

Is that what we’re doing?

Perhaps it’s worth probing a little further into who we’re supposed to love. Who qualifies as our “neighbor?” An expert in the law once had this same question, and Jesus Himself offered a response in the form of the parable of the Good Samaritan. Sharing a story about a Jewish man who had been beaten, robbed and left harmed on the side of the road, Jesus told of several people who passed by the victim without offering help. Somewhat surprising for that particular geography, the one person who had compassion on him was a Samaritan man; one who would have been culturally viewed as having a questionable heritage and upbringing, and one who knew to keep a distance from Jews. Yet, this is exactly who showed mercy when everybody else (even those of the same race and religion) avoided the hurt man on the road. Ultimately, the expert in the law was able to conclude that a “neighbor” is one who shows mercy. The story as a whole demonstrates that a neighbor is also anyone we come across, regardless of race, creed, or social background. The term includes anyone within our view. By definition, Webster says it’s everyone near us. 

Who are those people for you? Are you actually seeing them and their needs?

At the risk of sounding ancient and old-fashioned, there used to be a day when people weren’t so busy and rushed, when people talked face-to-face with real connection, and when it was commonplace to support and care for one another in both big and small ways. I am often reminded of a sermon, where the pastor referenced the impact caused by an architectural change in modern home design. Once centered around the gathering place of front porches, homes now go without and are designed with garages, where we can pull our cars in and see nobody. No more excitedly waving to someone as they arrive home, nor seeing a passerby and starting a conversation, nor easily catching glimpses of families growing, learning and becoming. We’ve discovered architectural blinders to promote keeping to ourselves, versus being part of our neighbors’ lives.

Add to that the “conveniences” and “communication” of our modern culture. I have clear childhood memories of running to a neighbor’s home to borrow an ingredient that we needed for a recipe. Today, I can use a variety of delivery services and online grocers to get those ingredients dropped on my doorstep. The same goes for a million different things we used to rely on for help from those in close proximity, but we’ve traded those shared experiences to outsource from strangers who may not feel inconvenienced instead. And then there’s social media and communication technologies that proliferate the lie that you can have a real relationship without ever actually sharing life in person. Sure, you can augment connection with texts, photos, and quick updates, but true and authentic bonds are made shoulder-to-shoulder with friends, family, and co-workers. Ask anyone with whom you’ve shared the highs and lows of life, and they will confirm the weaving of your hearts together. You won’t find that online. It simply can’t have the same effect as real life, where you can truly see and know someone without the hidden shadows and masks so easily produced by technology. 

Do you genuinely know the people around you well enough to love them?

The reality we need to face in our world today is that we cannot truly love our neighbors if we don’t actually see or know them. We are handicapped in our ability to best honor, serve, and support someone if we haven’t accessed their stories, emotions, and beliefs. The Bible describes love as patient, kind, sacrificial, forgiving, protective, and enduring (1 Corinthians 13:1-7). Is it even possible to effectively offer this kind of kinetic love without knowing the people to whom our efforts would be directed? These acts of service require context. Sincere empathy cannot exist without at least some knowledge or accurate visuals (not Artificial Intelligence!).

Perhaps we need to slow down a bit. What would happen if we freed up more time to really see people? What if we asked questions to learn and understand? What if we offered support and community? Would it make a difference – to someone else, to us, to God? I believe the answer is yes for all three. Care to try it and see? Your neighbor is waiting.

Father God, thank You for Your Word and for the Golden Rule instructions that are more valuable than gold itself. Compel our racing minds to pause, engage our eyes to see others as You do, and draw our hearts nearer to You and others so that we may be made rich with the greatest treasure of all – love. Mesh our lives and show us the beauty of togetherness with our neighbors. In Jesus’ name, Amen.