The command from God to "love thy neighbor" has quickly morphed into a dangerous, open door to unbiblical thinking. However, this command should lead to MORE of God's truth being shared, NOT less. Consider its relationship with the greatest commandment. [1/6]

The greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all of your heart, soul and mind (Matt 22:37-40). The second greatest commandment can NEITHER be divorced from NOR held in opposition to the first. In fact, the first must INFORM the second, not the other way around. [2/6]

Additionally, since we know that we cannot expect unbelievers to follow the first commandment (Rom 3:10-12), the same restriction must also apply to the second. Put another way, if the first commandment requires a sanctified mind, so does the second. [3/6]

Why is a sanctified mind important? Because the second half of "love thy neighbor" is "as yourself," NOT "as they want." Thus, this command should be sanctified by our knowledge of God & His Word. The way we love ourselves now should be different than before salvation. [4/6]

Thus, when your neighbors are unbelievers, your love for them should ultimately be driven their NEED for the gospel. We additionally also must walk in a manner worthy of that gospel (Eph 4:1; Phil 1:27), so that we do not place hypocritical obstacles before them. [5/6]

Therefore, the command to "love thy neighbor" should NOT be used to support unbiblical desires or thinking, NOR should it ever be used to PREVENT or DISCOURAGE a believer from following biblical convictions. [6/6]