“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.”
Matthew 22:36-40, NIV
Are you the person who struggles with this commandment because you love yourself too much, or do you struggle with it because you don’t love yourself enough?
Not everyone has an abundance of self-love, self-esteem, and self-worth all the time. Some people are in situations because they don’t love themselves enough. From self-destructive patterns to allowing others to abuse them, people who are stuck in cycles of hurt and pain may be struggling with self-love.
We often say that hurt people are the ones who hurt people. Hurt people don’t usually love themselves enough. Yet, God calls us to love these hurt, broken, loveless people.
When we are blessed with an abundance of self-love, we are required to share that love with someone who needs it. Instead of judging the loveless people, why not love them instead? If we look in the mirror and can say, “I Love You,” why don’t we look into the eyes of our neighbors and say the same. In fact, why not speak our words through action?
If you are struggling with self-love – whether by hurting yourself, hurting others, allowing yourself to be hurt – it’s time to experience real love. A love that lasts throughout eternity is waiting for you. That love is found in Christ Jesus.
If you need some love, why not give Jesus a try? Ask Christ to come into your heart and to forgive you for each time that you were not able to love yourself or others.
Just by asking Christ to come, love will enter into your spirit, permeate your being and show you how to love your neighbor as you grow in loving yourself.
Jesus came to earth to show us love in the flesh. As we celebrate Christmas, let us not forget John 3:16, which is a perfect complement to the commandment. “It says, for God so loved the world, that he gave…” Giving is not always tangible. Love is the best intangible gift.
So, if you are already saved and love yourself, you know what to do. It’s time to start practicing the commandment on your neighbors. In case you are getting technical. Your neighbor is every single human being on this planet and the entire planet itself. In other words, if you practice social justice, don’t forget to practice environmental justice as well.
Love Speaks Daily is counting on you family. We can do this. We can flood this planet with enough love to solve many of our problems, if not all of them. Believing that love can solve everything may sound like a dream, but we can at least try to make it a reality.
Let’s get out there and share some love.