Love Does No Harm to Its Neighbor (or child)

“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:8-10).

“Love does no harm to its neighbor,” begins in our thoughts about the other person. Once we tackle our thoughts, we can then transform our reactions. Often times, we will predispose who we think a person is by their acts; we meditate on that false thought; we do this to the point that the lie becomes our truth. Then we counter the person with punitive treatment. You can see that our thoughts are the beginning points of harm to our neighbor.

We can take this to heart as we parent our children, too. Parents will react to their children's behavior long before they understand the reason behind their actions. Certainly we can all relate to this at some point in time with not only our children but other people as well. 

There have been many people (my children included) who have crossed my path with mean-spirited, judgmental and arduous words and actions. I am tempted to judge right back and give what I have received. But the grace of God whom lives inside of me decides to seek understanding of that person instead. I am reminded that hurt people hurt people. Some are suffering so deeply that they only know how to respond to others through their pain. Seeking to understand can ultimately dispel the bad behavior that started. 

I am also quickened by the Spirit of God to look at my own faults and my own relational failings.  When humility of mind, spirit and heart mark my beginning to love the unlovable, I am able to then dismiss all debts one owes me and embrace the only godly duty I have – to love my neighbor as I love myself, for I see myself with clear eyes and am able to help my neighbor (my child) with clarity not a fogged up self-righteous human nucleus.

“…first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:5). "...the greatest of faith, hope and love - is love" (1 Corinthians 13:13).