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Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Love Your Neighbor As Yourself

"Love your neighbor as yourself."

These are great words, and I believe in them fully, but I'm not going to lie, they are a little hard to act out when you're talking about an unlovable person. How do you "love you neighbor as yourself" when that neighbor has been rude and has said and did many hurtful things to you. Do you have to turn the other cheek?? According to the Bible, you should. But what about that neighbor? If they claim to be a Christian, shouldn't they be held accountable for their words and actions? Aren't we as believers supposed to hold each other accountable?

This is something that I have been struggling with for almost the past two years! It's been a hard struggle and many times I've not wanted to forgive this neighbor. But, as you might guess, being a believer, I get convicted by my attitude and thoughts towards that person, and I forgive them. I needed and still need to do that daily because of the memories that satan keeps bringing to mind. How many times have I forgiven this neighbor?? I know it's been many, but not quite close to the "seventy times seven".

So my questions are the the following: Should my neighbor be held accountable for their actions? Should I be the one that says something to them, or is it my place to keep my mouth shut and to continue to forgive?

No matter what, I will continue to forgive, "seventy time seven", because I do not need this festering in me. I am not seeking an opportunity to talk with this person, but I know they are with me. So, I need prayers, I need grace and I need above all to remember that this is my neighbor and I am to "love my neighbor as myself".
 

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