Musing - Does the Bible require that we “Like” our neighbor?

 Hebraic Musing - Does the Bible require that we “Like” our neighbor?

I know the Bible says we are to Love our neighbor (Leviticus 19:18 and 8 more times in the NT), but does that mean we have to Like them also?  What’s the difference?
 - Love - selfless, sacrificial, unconditional commitment to the well-being of others as a reflection of God's nature.  “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV   Sounds like Love is based on a desire to provide Care and well-being!

 - Like - To enjoy or approve of something or someone.  To show that you think something is good/agreeable.  Having the same or similar characteristics.  To feel an attraction toward or take pleasure in.  To enjoy.  To choose or prefer.

Can you love somebody or something you don’t like?  Can you like them or love them if they belong to a different political party, or they have life habits we don’t like, or they have hurt you, or they don’t like or respect you and your opinion(s), etc. etc.

On the other hand, maybe we need to try to like them by getting to know them?  Remember the 50’s song from “the King and I”.  “Getting to know you, Getting to know all about you. Getting to like you, Getting to hope you like me. Getting to know you, Putting it my way, But nicely, You are precisely, My cup of tea.”  This message calls for considerable effort to develop long-term relationship building.

Years ago, we used this “Like/Love” concept in “three steps for effective witnessing.”  It was our modus operandi for successful door-to-door witnessing!
 1. Make a friend                   – Introduce yourself openly, get acquainted, pay them a compliment.
 2. Be a friend                        – Do a “friendly something” for them to earn friendship, respect and likeability!
 3. Bring a friend to Christ   – Now they will listen to you and respect your message and the appeal.

Here’s some hard questions:

-          Is there any unforgiveness or a grudge causing us to not like or love a neighbor, or anyone?

-          How easy was it for Jesus to forgive us for our offenses?

-          Who decided they are unlikable?  What right do I/we have to decide that?  Who created them?

-          If we do not want to witness to them, does that mean we don’t care if they go to hell?

-          Why are we afraid to open a conversation about Jesus with a stranger?  What are we afraid of?

-          Where is your “Mission Field”?

Love demands that we seek the other person’s highest good at my expense.  Do we find it hard to Love somebody if we are not Liking what they are doing?  How are we to distinguish between those forces and keep those perspectives separated?!?!

Points to Ponder

Who is our neighbor?

Do we love our neighbor, or might we just simply like our neighbor?  

Can we really Love our neighbor without Liking them?
or, can we Like our neighbor without really Loving them?
 BTW - How much do we love ourselves?

We know God loves all 7 billion souls on earth equally, but more importantly, do we?

Where is our “Mission Field”?

“… and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Romans 13:9 NIV

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                        January 20, 2026            
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”