You see all these advertisements and inspirational slogans saying "Love yourself."
"Take time to love yourself this season" Pamper, indulge, prioritize you, you first...
Well that's a lie, that's not Biblical in any way.
The very definition of love involves someone else... It's something we humans can hardly comprehend but even Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines love as a) strong affection for another b) or unselfish, benevolent concern for the good of another
Love by definition is self-sacrificing and other-centered. "If you lock yourself alone in a room and stay there for the rest of your life, you will never experience love (truthlink).
John 15:12 says "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." And John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."
We can try to love ourselves all we want: indulging in consumerism, food, hobbies... but it will leave our souls empty. Because we were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) we were created with a desire for relationships. a desire to rely on the love God has for us, and to love others.
Friends, we don't understand what love means. And until we get it right, our hearts won't be full. We will only find true purpose and satisfaction when we are beholding Christ's character and His glory and choosing to reflect it.
"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions in truth." 1 John 3:16-18
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