Does loving your neighbor mean you have to be friends?

Answer 1

We are to "get along with our neighbor, IF THAT BE POSSIBLE".

Answer 2

My impression was that loving your neighbor would imply some kind of a connections--something like friendship. Loving your neighbor is a type of unconditional love that gives you the strength to love the unlovable, the hostile neighbor, nagging in-law and irritating colleague. The whole point is to look past the negative things and give your whole self to whoever needs your help despite how annoying they may come off to be.

Answer 3

no. loving your neighbor means having general compassion for people around you, in your community. basically, like if you got home, and noticed that your neighbor was seriously hurt, or their life was being threatened, you would actively pursue saving their life. or lets say there was a natural disaster, or something really bad happened, you would let them come into your basement, and share food and blankets with them. loving your neighbor means having a heart, and being willing to help them out in a bad situation. it does not mean you have to say hello everyday or be buddy buddy with them.

Answer 4

No. Loving your neighbor... give them sugar when they ask. Let them borrow your tools, maybe mow their lawn. Be easy to live by. Be pleasant and kind.

By all means, I do not believe this means give your neighbor the "gift of the gospel". That is ridiculous.

I have to say, that is so annoying. Those pushy people who try to make you find Jesus... they are what they warn against... judgmental, unholy people. ugh.

Answer 5

It depends on what you mean by friends. If you mean to you have to pal around with him and invite him over to your place for a BBQ or whatever..no. However, you are to be kind, compassionate and try to understand your neighbor regardless of your differences.

Answer 6

I believe the idea is to see yourself in your neighbor and use that insight to follow the Golden Rule. I don't think it meant "have a barbecue". I'm not a Christian so I may not count.

Answer 7

no, its just a phrase. what it really means is that you should treat your neighbor (or someone near you) like you would like to be treated and without hate. but i guess if you treat someone that way then you somehow automatically become friends so really this is a question that goes around and around in circles. its just how you look at it.

Answer 8

No. We are to seperate ourselves from worldly activities and the lusts of the world.

Titus 2:12 - Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Deuteronomy 14:2 - For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.

Deuteronomy 26:18 - And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments;

Titus 2:14 - Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

1 Peter 2:9 - But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

Answer 9

no. Boy wouldn't THAT be awkward.
Everyone has distinct personalities and since we are living in a fallen world, we can't possibly all get along well enough to BE friends.

My mom sometimes said "I do love you, but that DOESN't mean I have to LIKE you"
I agree.

Answer 10

No you don't have to be friends! But you do have to respect each other!
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8Love never fails.