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On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10: 25-29)

One of the greatest indications that we are growing in our relationship with God is that we are growing in our love for one another. Love is not just something God does; it is Who He is. And like Him, love needs to become who we are, and not just what we do. We cannot fulfill the first commandment without fulfilling the second. It is a matter of the heart. When we allow the Holy Spirit to begin this transformation in our lives, we find that "our neighbor" becomes anyone whom God places in our path--regardless of their race, gender, perspective, economic or intellectual level, value system or religion. You do not have to agree with everyone you meet; you just need to love them. As we develop the daily discipline of practicing the presence of God, the Holy Spirit transforms our heart, making us a little more like Jesus every day.

Blessings to you all!