Generally speaking, religious individuals and groups find it easier to be in agreement with and live in obedience to the first four commandments than to be in agreement with and live in obedience to the last six of the ten commandments. Jesus summarized the first four in Matthew 22:37 with the following words: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” The last six are summarized in Matthew 22:39 with the following words: “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

This is not something new, of course, since the same practice was widely popular among the religious Jews in the time of Jesus. They kept man’s obligation to God in high regard, by obeying the first four commandments while disregarding the last six. This is evident in the Good Samaritan parable, inspired by a true story that had recently taken place in the area. The priest and the Levite were most likely on their way back from the temple, where they had taught the law—but when they had the opportunity to help a fellow human being, they didn’t feel the obligation to do so.

The writers of the articles in this magazine are sharing their own thoughts and experiences related to this very important relationship between family members, friends and even enemies. I hope you will be blessed by these short readings and that your love for your neighbor will be manifested through service to Jesus in the person of His children, for He says: “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:40)

—Adrian Finaru