Intertwined Bonds: The Unity of Divine and Human Love
Based on the presented quotations, the idea that love for God can replace love for one’s neighbor turns out to be a misconception, because genuine, pure love for God is inextricably linked with love for humanity.In one source it is stated: "Through love for one’s neighbor we enter into love for God. For a Christian, love for God is love for Christ, and love for one’s neighbor is love for Christ in the neighbor: by loving the neighbor, loving him for the sake of the Lord—that is, according to the commandments of the Lord—we acquire love for Christ, and love for Christ is love for God." (source: link txt, page: p. 78).This thought emphasizes that observing the commandment to love one’s neighbor not only does not compete with love for God but actually forms its very foundation. Another source also notes that: "Therefore, one must sacrifice self-love in the name of love for God and one’s neighbor. So-called love for the neighbor occupies an intermediate position. It dominates over a person’s love for themselves, yet in turn, it is subordinate to the higher love—the love of a person for God." (source: link txt).Here it is underscored that love for God occupies a primary position, and love for the neighbor grows out of it and, as an expression of the highest spiritual love, cannot be considered an independent or replaceable alternative. True love for God naturally extends to others, since a person who loves God sees His reflection in every neighbor.Thus, the idea that love for God could replace love for one’s neighbor is essentially unfounded, because it is precisely in the context of love for God that a person gains the ability and strength to love their neighbor in full. Love for God and love for one’s neighbor are two sides of the same coin, and one cannot fully exist without the other.