Arcana Coelestia # 6711
6711. But those who do not love themselves more than others - which is true of everyone belonging to the Lord's kingdom - will make the origin of the neighbour reside in Him whom they ought to love above all else, that is, in the Lord. And they will see the neighbour in all others according to the nature of their love for Him. People therefore who love others as themselves, and especially those who, like the angels, love others more than themselves, all make the origin of the neighbour reside in the Lord; for good has the Lord Himself within it since it emanates from Him. From this too it may be seen that what the love is like determines who the neighbour is. The truth that the Lord is present within good is what the Lord Himself teaches in Matthew 25:34-40, for He says to those who were governed by good that they had given Him food, given Him drink, taken Him in, clothed Him, visited Him, and come to Him in prison, and then that insofar as they had done so to one of the least of His brothers they had done so to Him.
Matthew 25:34-40
34
Then the King will tell those on his right hand, 'Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;
35
for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in.
36
I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me.'
37
"Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you a drink?
38
When did we see you as a stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you?
39
When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?'
40
"The King will answer them, 'Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'
