Biblical Answer

Understanding the Commandment

To love our neighbor as ourselves is a fundamental principle of Christianity, as seen in the teachings of Jesus Christ (Matthew 22:37-39). This commandment is not about manufacturing affectionate feelings towards our neighbor, but rather about displaying a set of behaviors that demonstrate love and care for them (Galatians 5:13-14). It is not about how we feel towards our neighbor, but about how we choose to act towards them. As C.S. Lewis puts it, "Do not waste time bothering whether you love your neighbor; act as if you did" (C.S. Lewis, The Abolition of Man).

The Nature of Love

The nature of love is to do good and to relieve need (1 Corinthians 13:3). When we love our neighbor, we prioritize their well-being and happiness over our own interests. This means that we put their needs before our own, even if it means sacrificing our own desires or comfort. As Augustine says, "We are not ordered towards love of ourselves first and foremost and love of God first and foremost. We can be ordered towards love of God (in which case we love ourselves properly too)" (Augustine, The City of God). This means that our love for our neighbor is not limited by our love for ourselves, but rather is motivated by our love for God.

Practical Applications

So, how do we love our neighbor as ourselves in practical terms? We can start by examining our own behavior and attitudes towards our neighbor. Do we prioritize their needs and well-being, or do we prioritize our own interests? We can also ask ourselves, "Does my love for self limit the expression of my love for the other person, or does my love for the other limit my love for myself?" (Augustine, The City of God). By prioritizing our neighbor's needs and well-being, we demonstrate our love for them, and in doing so, we reflect the love of God. As Jesus says, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" (John 14:15). By loving our neighbor as ourselves, we obey God's commandments and demonstrate our love for Him.