One of the hardest concepts for me to grasp was loving your neighbor as yourself.  Preachers taught you have to love yourself first or you can't love others, etc., etc., etc. etc.  I heard it, read it, studied it and tried to wrap my mind around it but could not get a handle on it.  Until….I was reading in Matthew chapter 7 and I came to verse 12 that says, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets".

It was as if lightning struck my mind.  I started searching for the two main commandments Jesus gave.  I found them in Matthew 22:36-40 which says "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?  'Jesus replied, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.'"  

There was the connection that made it clear!  I suddenly realized it was not a gooey, fuzzy feeling, emotional kind of love.  What I found is I am to simply treat others as I would want them to treat me.  So simple. 

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  John 8:32 (New International Version)