Happy Valentine's Day…
"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 26:36-40
What a great question to ask. Out of all the laws of Moses, what is the most important? Jesus' reply was about worship. It was about placing your love and affection on God with all your heart, soul, and mind.
1. The second commandment
The greatest commandment we must seek for our lives is to be a worshiper first and foremost. But, I want to focus on what Jesus says next because there is a significant challenge hidden in it.
Jesus said the second commandment is to "Love your neighbor as yourself." WOW, love your neighbor? But what if they are rude, mean, different, weird, annoying, or frustrating? Jesus gave no exceptions to the commandment; He just said to love them! But here comes the hidden message…He said, "Love your neighbor as yourself."
If most people loved their neighbor as they love themselves, they would be terrible neighbors. Unfortunately, many people do not love themselves at all. In my teachings, I've referenced the horrible disease going around called "Self-Mutilation." It happens when people degrade themselves, speak poorly of themselves, have no confidence in themselves, and think self-destructive thoughts about themselves!
This disease hinders us from truly loving ourselves, affecting our ability to love others. Our relationship with ourselves usually determines the relationships we have with others. You cannot truly love others if you do not love yourself. You limit your ability to love when you do not love yourself.
2. Loving yourself
Loving yourself is not about pride and thinking too highly of yourself. It means you are comfortable with who you are. It means you love the person whom God is working on…YOU!
If you can't see yourself as valuable, you will not see the value in anything you do! If we are indeed supposed to love our neighbors as ourselves, we better learn to love ourselves more and more!
If you want to grow in your relationships, grow your ability to relate to yourself first. The more you accept who you are, the more you'll accept what life is all about…loving God & loving others!
Have a blessed week,
Pastor (Rev. Elias Limones)
Comments