“Love Worketh No Ill to His Neighbour”

This second manifestation of love (that is, being harmless to others) is greatly emphasized throughout the Scriptures, even though many persons seem to overlook it. In fact, apart from the fifth of the ten commandments, which speaks of a positive duty of good work, namely, to honour our parents, all the other commandments of the last six (which deal with love to our fellowmen) speak of the evil that we should not do to our neighbour (Exodus 20:13-17). The apostle Paul, after listing the five other commandments of the last six concluded:

Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13:8 -10.

Thus, regardless of the supposed good work that we claim to do or actually do, if we do ill to our neighbour, whether by word, deed or silence we are in contravention of the principle of love and are therefore being unrighteous. Further yet, if we do not actually do ill but have the mind to do it or wish for it to be done to someone we are just as unrighteous. Love is not just about appearances, it is about our real attitude towards others. Jesus further explained:

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Matthew 5:21-24.

From this, it is evident that being at peace with others and not offending them is far more important than religious ritualism and ceremonies.

A very important aspect of being at peace with others is highlighted as having a wholesome attitude toward our fellowmen; that is, not being angry with them without cause. A mark of evil is having a spirit of getting angry with other people who did not do us any wrong. Some people take offence over the simplest things. But a characteristic of love is that it is not easily provoked (1 Cor. 13:5). Therefore, people who find that they get upset very easily should beware of the evil that lurks in the shadows of that fragile temperament.

Before Cain slew his brother, Abel, God warned him about his being upset without good reason:

“And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door.” Genesis 4:6, 7.

Of course, Cain did not heed the warning and his anger eventually led him to kill his brother who had done him no wrong. True Christians are not quick to get upset and they seek at all times to make peace. Jesus summed it up with the following words:

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9.

So important it is that we seek to be at peace with others that Jesus said:

Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Matthew 5:38-42.

SERIES: Are you harmless?

PART ONE: Mark of True Christianity
PART 2: Forgive them because they do not know any better
PART 3: Love is harmless
PART 4: For Peace Sake
PART 5: True Christians are harmless
PART 6: Following Jesus