“And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31

Self-Love vs. Loving Others

Part 2

Yesterday we looked at attributes of people who are “lovers of themselves” from 2 Timothy 3:2-5. There are many other ways to identify this pattern in ourselves, besides just what was mentioned in those couple of verses.

Note: To be true to the intent of this passage, verse 1 says, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come…” and then it lists all those behaviors and attitudes. People who are lovers of themselves characterize the perilous times of the last days. Then, the last part of verse 5 says, “And from such people turn away.” Instead of being a witness to God’s greatness, they are a witness only to their own greatness—inconsequential in comparison—and we are told to turn away from them.

So many times in Scripture we are told to “put off” certain sinful attitudes and behaviors, and “put on” certain godly attitudes and behaviors. So I got to thinking, if we are to put off all these attitudes and behaviors, what should we put in their place?

Instead of being loving of ourselves, what if we were lovers of others? Just looking at this one passage of Scripture from yesterday, perhaps we would…
… Give money so others can have all they need;
… Boast in others;
… Do what benefits others;
… Speak kindly of others;
… Obey authorities, knowing they have been given “rule” over us;
… Thank others for what they do, and give, and just who they are in Christ;
… Live holy lives before others, that they may be drawn to relationship with Christ;
… Love selflessly, because it’s all about others;
… Reconcile and forgive as Christ did, knowing that if there is to be judgment or vengeance, it is Christ’s job;
… Speak encouragement and comfort into lives;
… Be self-controlled, not stumbling those who are weaker;
… Be kind and gentle and good, thus blessing others;
… Exemplify true goodness, that it would witness to the goodness of God;
… Be completely faithful to God, His Word, and other believers;
… Be submissive and meek, knowing we are but dust (yet redeemed by our Savior);
… Love God and others more than we love ourselves;
… Acknowledge and use the Spirit’s power that lives within us to accomplish all these things.

“Father, by Your Holy Spirit dwelling within us, produce in us this kind of unselfish love for others—the same love that You have for us. May we never settle for the low estate of loving ourselves when so many are hungry for Your love. Let the testimony of our lives be living for You by loving others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”