To Serve… Learn to Love Yourself First

The statement to love yourself may seem odd, but consider what the Scripture

teaches. Creation itself demonstrates God’s love: He fashioned us after His own

image, then gave mankind the world, revealing His heart: “And God said, Let us

make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish

of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the

earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” (Gen. 1:26) To

understand the Father’s love more fully, progress through the book of Romans:

Romans 1-11: Confidence in God’s Love Attitude: Rom. 1-2: God’s love created the

world for man, yet with accountability. Rom. 3-4: God’s love set forth His only Son

as the only and perfect way to redeem man, imputing believers with His own right-

eousness. Rom. 5: God the Holy Spirit is given, along with eternal life and a secure

position in Christ. This empowers us to begin a journey as a new creation to learn

the depth of His love and all He desires for us. Rom. 6-8: This section teaches how

God changed us because of His love to partner with Him for godly service. The Body

can have absolute confidence in His love: Nothing “shall separate us from the love of

God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 8:31) Rom 9-11: God has the same love

for Israel: He set them aside temporarily, but will fulfill all promises unto them.

Our education about service begins in chapter 12. In order to minister, we are to

see our own personal significance to the Father. (Rom. 1-11) God’s great love and

value for us, enables us to respect and love ourselves, even with our many frailties.

Then, we can view others, though also imperfect, as He does: “…Thou shalt love thy

neighbour as thyself.” (Rom. 13:9) Saints are cherished and uniquely placed in the

Body to serve: “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” (I Cor.

12:27) As godly love is generated in us, we value others: “Be kindly affectioned one

to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.” (Rom. 12:10)

Reflect: As Christ is formed in you, God’s unconditional love enables you to love yourself

to function in the position you have in Christ: “We then, as workers together with him,

beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain…. But in all things approving

ourselves as the ministers of God…” (II Cor. 6:1,4) As a member of the Body, you realize

you have unique connections with others. This is your circle of influence, which can be

used as opportunities to be His living sacrice: A sibling, parent, friend, co-worker, etc.

So, do you love yourself? Others? Then, as a servant, how do you love others above yourself?