Final answer:
The claim that Jesus says to love and help only those who do the same for us is false. Christian teaching commands a universal love for all neighbors and leads to the conclusion that compassion and empathy towards everyone are essential, not just a reciprocal exchange of favors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Jesus says we should love and help those most who love and help us most is false. According to Matthew 22:39, Jesus articulates the second great commandment as, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” This directive does not limit love and assistance to those who exhibit favor toward us; instead, it calls for a universal love for all neighbors regardless of their actions towards us. This is further underscored in 1 John 4:20-21, which states that if a person claims to love God but hates their brother, they are lying, for loving God requires loving our brothers and sisters as well.
The scripture emphasizes that love should not be restricted by appearances, social circles, or selfish reciprocation. Rather, it advocates for a boundless love that extends to all individuals, index aka to their status or how they treat us. Jesus' teachings challenge believers to act with empathy, compassion, and reconciliation, suggesting that these values create the conditions for a more loving and equitable society. The idea that we should only love those who love us is a contradiction of the profound universalism intrinsic to Christian teaching and the call to love our neighbors unequivocally.