Mark12:31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
LOVING GOD- THE STARTING POINT
Jesus told his listeners that the law and prophet is summed up in two commandments. The first is that we should love the Lord our God with all our strength and might. The second is that we should love our neighbour as we love ourselves. So much has been said about loving God and loving our neighbours but I don't think I've heard anyone teach on how we can love ourselves except what psychologists teach. From the second commandment, I noticed that we are to show love to our neighbours the way we love ourselves.
It takes someone who love himself to love others. There's a common saying that you can't give what you don't have. The first pointer that shows you love yourself is your love for God. What does it really mean to love God? Jesus said, "Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me."(John 14:24 NLT). In another portion of scriptures, Apostle John said, "Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome."(1 John 5:3 NLT).
Those that love themselves love God by obeying Him. Self love should not be confused with self worship. God doesn't want you to worship yourself but he want you to love yourself so that you can love others with the same measure of love. But the starting point of true love is in complete obedience to God. Obeying God is to our benefit. That benefit may not be the riches of this world but I'm sure it is not unconnected with eternity. Those that love themselves long for eternity with Christ, hence, they obey God. Self love should mirror your love for God and His ways. That's a vital way to know that you love God.
Father, I receive the grace to love you in Jesus name.