Biblical Answer

In a world of division and chaos, where our actions have global consequences, loving our neighbors as ourselves is a commandment that requires a deeper understanding of what it means to love God first and foremost. According to Matthew 5:14-16, when believers react without violence, but in ways marked by love and righteousness, they shine like a bright light in a dark world. This is consistent with Augustine's point that we cannot both love ourselves first and foremost and love God first and foremost. We can be ordered toward love of God, in which case we love ourselves properly too, and thus our love for our neighbors is not limited by our self-love.

Loving our neighbors as ourselves is not just a moral obligation, but a reflection of our love for God. As Augustine noted, "I cannot learn to love my neighbor as myself till I learn to love God: and I cannot learn to love God except by learning to obey Him." This obedience to God's commandments is not just about external actions, but also about a transformation of the heart. When we love God, we begin to see our neighbors as reflections of God's image, and we are motivated to love them as we love ourselves. This love is not just a feeling, but a choice that we make every day, and it requires us to be willing to make restitution and satisfaction for all injuries and wrongs done to others.

In a world where our actions have global consequences, loving our neighbors as ourselves is not just a local issue, but a global one. It requires us to consider the impact of our actions on others, and to be willing to make sacrifices for the sake of others. As the Bible teaches, "If any one of you wants to be my follower, he must put aside the things he cannot take with him: self-love, greed, anxiety, and many other things. He must be willing to take up his cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23-24). Loving our neighbors as ourselves is not just a moral obligation, but a fundamental aspect of being a follower of Jesus Christ, and it requires us to be willing to put the needs of others before our own.