For the last six and a half months, I’ve posted several blogs that were centered on the following bible verses: Matthew 22:35-40 states, “Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” The second scripture is 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 NIV. It states, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
Well, as I meditated on this week’s blog, I heard these words from somewhere deep within: “Some people do not love themselves, so they will not be able to love their neighbor.” Wow! So, I had to consider what loving one’s self looks like. For starters, love is patient. Do you find yourself becoming frustrated with yourself? I do! Love is kind. Have you ever practiced self harm? Self harm doesn’t necessarily mean the image I posted. Self harm could mean cancelling a doctor’s appointment because something else was more important. I am guilty of this and now my physical body is suffering. For a long time, I put things before my spiritual health too, and I didn’t realize how sick I was. Love does not envy. How many times have you wished for someone else’s blessing? Love does not boast. Have you ever found yourself getting so caught up in the blessing that you forget to thank the one who blessed you? It is not proud. Some people would rather fall flat on their face than to ask for help. (I’m talking about myself right now.) Love does not dishonor others. Yet, so many people dishonor themselves, just to receive a like or share on social media. Love is not self seeking. Have you ever stepped on someone to get ahead? Have you promoted yourself when you should be sharing the gospel? Love is not easily angered? Do you find yourself getting mad at yourself over the smallest things? Love keeps no record of wrongs? Do you beat yourself up when you make mistakes? Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Laughing at an enemies’ demise is evil. (I just stepped on my own toes.) Rejoicing in the fact that we have another opportunity to intercede on our enemies’ behalf is love. Love always protects. How many times have you placed yourself in a dangerous situation? Love always trusts. Have you ever said, I just can’t trust myself? Love always hopes. Have you lost hope? Did you feel like giving up? Love always perseveres. Yet, you want to quit during tough situations. (I’m talking about myself again.)
Then, it came to me! Perhaps people are loving their neighbors the way they love themselves. Perhaps, the problem is: people don’t love themselves. If that’s you, my brother or sister, I want you to know that you have to accept Jesus as your personal savior because he is love. He will show you how to truly love yourself, so that you can love others. Just think about it. Then, go to the Father and pray about it.
#Soul Searching with Our Father#
