One who loves his or her neighbor wishes no harm upon them and this love means no laws are broken between neighbors. Here’s the verses that precede this one:
“For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.””
Romans 13:9 ESV
I learned as a college student that it’s best to make certain decisions and abide by them. Then, when the storm comes I can remain standing and am not washed away. I’ve already decided.
If I spend my days driving the speed limit I don’t have to worry if there’s a policeman around the next corner waiting to give me a ticket. I can choose to obey the law and live in peace.
Love too is a choice. Some people are harder to love than others. We know that when we love and care for someone we aren’t even close to thinking about doing something illegal.
The laws of the land are very different across our globe. Most societies would agree with most of the Ten Commandments. If I love my neighbors I do not feel at peace lying to them or stealing from them. Love protects us in ways we probably aren’t even aware of. In loving our neighbors we obey the law without even thinking we are doing it.
Trying to love a difficult neighbor keeps us from never ending, ever escalating disputes. People matter so much more than things! If God is the center of your life you prioritize people, God’s children, over material things.
Lay down your arms and love that difficult person today. Love is freedom, peaceful and much more fulfilling! Love even heals.
Jeni Martin Johnson 
Leave a Reply