Zondervan Blog

What Do You Mean, Love My Neighbor "as Myself"? [Excerpt]

 

What do you do with those two little words at the end of Christ's Greatest Commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself"?

Can you confidently say, "I love myself"?

Joel N. Clark suggests that learning to truly love yourself may unleash your full strength for loving your neighbor.

This is an excerpt from what I call Joel's "Christian adventure memoir," Awake: Discover the Power of YOUR Story (The Book You Can Watch). -Adam Forrest, Zondervan

 

The Least-known part of the Great Commandment

Joel N. Clark

I was visiting a church recently and found myself listening to a sermon on Jesus' greatest commandment. The pastor read a verse I think I've heard more than any other verse: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind; and love your neighbor." He quoted the verse at least ten times throughout his message.

Something was annoying me, but I couldn't figure out what it was. I picked up my Bible, found the verse, and read it. I was right. The actual verse reads,

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.

The pastor is a great guy and he was preaching a good sermon. But it was as if those two little words, "as yourself," got in the way of what he was trying to say. They were unimportant.

 

[The Greatest Commandment] is like the CliffsNotes for life.

The verse is found in Matthew 22, and this entire section is amazing... The religious leaders asked Jesus to tell them which was the most important... Jesus broke down a thousand plus years of law into these three statements. I think this is pretty huge. It's like the CliffsNotes for life...

 

I have only ever heard one sermon about the "as yourself" portion of this Scripture... The pastor said that loving myself had something to do with eating right, going to the gym, and generally looking after myself. It meant that I should stand in front of a mirror and talk to myself, affirming those things I like about me. Even as a child I remember thinking that this was a very silly message.

 

Learn More

If I understand language at all, "as yourself" is put on an equal level with "loving your neighbor," just one step under "loving God." If this is true, then it is one of the three most important things we could ever do with our lives. Yet I understand why it's not talked about. Pride is something that nobody needs to learn. We don't need to be taught to think highly of ourselves; it is humility that's the hard lesson. I'm sure this is why we spend most of our time learning how to love God and love others.

 

If anything, it would be easy to look at the world and say we all love ourselves too much. With much of the world obsessed with making more money and buying the newest "toys," it would make sense to say we need to learn to teach, teach, teach people how to live outside themselves and spend time loving their neighbors. But excess and pride have nothing to do with love...

 

I think the reason for much of the excess and egotism in the world is precisely that we haven't taken the time to learn how to love ourselves.

I think the reason for much of the excess and egotism in the world is precisely that we haven't taken the time to learn how to love ourselves. It is in loving ourselves that we learn humility. It is in loving ourselves that we begin to understand that excess isn't the answer. And most important, it is in loving ourselves that we are able to fully love others.

 

I no longer think that breaking down Jesus' second greatest commandment into healthy eating, exercise, and positive self-esteem is what Jesus was talking about. Although he doesn't spell it out for us precisely, I think that when Jesus told us to love ourselves, he was commanding us to live fully awake...

 

Loving God + Loving Neighbor as Yourself = Living Fully Awake

I believe one of the key ways God shows his love to us is through the opportunities he gives us to awaken our hearts. Each time I step out in faith and embrace life to its fullest, I awaken to a deeper intimacy in my relationship with Jesus. I believe the way we most fully experience God's love is when we make the choice to love ourselves enough to pursue what he has placed in front of us.

The Father's Kindness (Let it Flow - Excerpt)

 

What words come to mind when you hear "heavenly Father"? How about these:  compassion, patience, mercy, love, kindness?

With Father's Day near (and because the reminder is good anyway), here's an excerpt on the kindness of the heavenly Father - and how we can do our part to spread it around. [Excerpt from NIV Voices of Faith Devotional Bible: Voices from the Past and Present.] -Adam Forrest, Zondervan

 

The Kindness of the Father [by S. J. Hill]

If we recognize that God's heart is filled with passion for us even in our weakness, we will be catapulted into personal wholeness and spiritual maturity.

 

When my two sons left home and ventured out on their own, I realized even more how much I loved them. I would think about them all the time. I would call them on the phone just to hear their voices. I would picture in my mind what they looked like. More than once I heard the Lord speak so gently to me, "If you feel this way about your sons, how do you think I feel about you?"

 

I was often reminded of the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:9–11: "[Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!]"

 

Today as I was thinking about my sons and reflecting on those experiences, I was so overcome by the love of the Father that I broke down and wept. I realized again that when we, as His children, catch a glimpse of the beauty of His heart, it will ignite such deep passions within us that we will gladly abandon ourselves to Him.

 

A Living Expression [by Mother Teresa, AD 1910 – 1997]

Be the living expression of God's kindness:
   kindness in your face,
   kindness in your eyes,
   kindness in your smile,
   kindness in your warm greeting.

 

Learn More

Learn more about the NIV Voices of Faith Devotional Bible

 

A Friendly Dare: Ask someone you trust, "What expressions do you often see from me?" Is your kindness visible? Or is something else in your heart spilling out, such as fear, anxiety, or impatience?

Further Reading

Is Christ Delightful? via the NIV Voices of Faith Devotional Bible
A Heavenly Party via the NIV Voices of Faith Devotional Bible
Flourishing in Action via John Ortberg

 

(Images & some styling above are web-exclusive features not included in the text of NIV Voices of Faith Devotional Bible. This post does not represent the views of Zondervan or any of its representatives. The writer's personal opinions are shared only for information purposes. To receive new Zondervan Blog posts in your reader or email inbox, subscribe to Zondervan Blog.)

 

 

Announcing the Beginner’s Bible Storybook App for iPad (Watch the Video)

 

We're excited to announce that the best-selling children's Bible of all time, The Beginner's Bible, is coming soon for iPad as a storybook app!

The Beginner's Bible App will be free for all to download. It will include 6 Bible stories, coloring pages and a game.

Get your first look at the app when you watch the video, then sign up to be notified as soon as it's available!

 

We are so excited about the app's upcoming release!

A child's first Bible is so important. It can set a child on a course of lifelong Bible exploration. The Beginner's Bible is the first print Bible that many children receive in their life – and for good reason. The book is a vibrant, engaging introduction to the characters and stories in God's Word.

We set out to create an app that captures the appeal of the book. From the app you can expect:

• Each illustration will be interactive. For example, in the story of Noah's Ark, kids will be able to push the elephants onto the ark, and set the ark rocking on the water.
• The app includes fun activities, such as an interactive game and coloring pages.
• It's easy to use. We designed the app so young children can use it easily on their own or along with their parents.
• Experience Bible stories with your kids. While kids can listen to the stories through the app's built-in audio (complete with sound effects), parents can turn off the audio and read it aloud with their children.

Parents, if you want your preschooler to begin learning about the Bible, introduce them to this app and you'll have an eager audience.

You'll see what I mean when you watch the Beginner's Bible App video.

 

More Bible stories to come

The free app will contain one complimentary Story Pack: 6 Bible stories, coloring pages, and a game.

After the free app's release, we will make available 14 more Story Pack over the next couple of months. Each Story Pack will include 6 stories, plus coloring pages and games, and will be available for $1.99. This way you can collect loads of fun activities, plus all of the Bible stories from The Beginner's Bible!

Can't wait to download the free app? Me neither. Sign up to be notified as soon as it's available and start your preschooler on a journey of faith!

-Helen Schmitt, Zonderkidz

 

This post does not represent the views of Zondervan, its partners or representatives. The writer's personal opinions are shared for information purposes only. To receive new Zondervan Blog posts in your reader or email inbox, subscribe to Zondervan Blog.

 

The Keys to Overcoming Fear [Excerpt]

 

Do you feel overwhelmed by fear? We may learn something from the experience of David, who was the target of King Saul's murderous wrath. Read this excerpt from Craig Groeschel's Soul Detox: Clean Living in a Contaminated World. -Adam Forrest, Zondervan   

 

Craig Groeschel

It's easy to look at [David's] situation and think, "Wow... It must've been really hard for David to have [King Saul] put a death warrant on him." But if we put ourselves in David's sandals for a moment, it becomes downright horrific.

 

For me, it's like the president of the United States telling the CIA, the FBI, and the entire military, "Go get me that crazy Christian guy, Craig Groeschel. I want his sorry carcass, dead or alive." ... Wherever you live, imagine that the most powerful leader in your nation issued that command about you. Imagine that every force in the country is out scouring the countryside for you, interrogating your friends and your family, hot on your trail. You can't go to any public places. You're always looking over your shoulder.

This nightmare was the reality of David's life. No matter where he went, he couldn't escape his knowledge that the most powerful man in Israel wanted him dead. In Psalm 56:1–4, we get a glimpse not only into his ordeal but into how he faced it: "My enemies are in hot pursuit ... My adversaries pursue me all day long; in their pride many are attacking me. When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise — in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" (emphasis mine).

 

David clearly was overwhelmed and perhaps even terrified. But he just called it like it was, being honest with God... You can do the same thing David did. It's okay to admit that you're afraid. Name your fears. Just say, "Here's what's happening, God. Here's what I'm afraid of":

"I'm afraid my spouse might be having an affair."
"I'm afraid one of my kids might get a terminal disease."
"I'm afraid my best friend might betray me."
"I'm afraid my business might go under next year."

 

Say it over and over... 'I'm choosing to trust in you, God. Because of you, I'm choosing not to be afraid.'

Then follow that with what David did. "But even though I'm afraid, God, I'm choosing to trust in you." Take it just as far as David did. Say it aloud. Write it down. Rehearse it. Refer to it to remind yourself. Say it over and over: "I believe your Word, God. I'm choosing to trust in you, God. Because of you, I'm choosing not to be afraid."

Examining this passage further, notice the last thing David says here: "What can mere mortals do to me?" Well, let's answer that question. Honestly, what could mortal men have done to him? Well, for starters, they could have killed him! Perhaps even worse, mortal men could have captured him, tortured him, imprisoned him, and made the rest of his life miserable. These all sound pretty horrible.

So if all that's true, then how was David able to overcome his fears? By refocusing his view of the problem, shifting his fear-fueled thoughts from the temporary, earthly point of view to an eternal perspective. By stepping back and viewing his fear from a more comprehensive perspective, David could say, "You know what? Even if my worst what-ifs come to pass, if I still choose to trust God, no one can do anything that hurts me eternally. Nothing." Suddenly his worst what-if paled in comparison with the goodness and faithfulness of God.

 

The farther away I get from God, the more the what-ifs of this world begin to pile on, trying to suffocate me with fear.

What about you? What's your greatest fear? Can you choose to trust God with it? Be as honest with yourself as you can. This is really important. In my experience, the farther away I get from God, the more the what-ifs of this world begin to pile on, trying to suffocate me with fear. But the closer I am to God, the more I'm able to trust him, and the less hold the things of this world have on me. Choose. Tell God what it is you're afraid of. Then trust him no matter what.

- Craig Groeschel

 

Learn More

Learn more about Soul Detox: Clean Living in a Contaminated World.

 

Suggested Posts

"Lukewarm Christians" and other Oxymorons via Craig Groeschel
Is God Unfair? via Craig Groeschel

 

(Some styling above is web-exclusive and not included in the text of Soul Detox.This post does not represent the views of Zondervan or any of its partners or representatives. The writer's personal opinions are shared only for information purposes. To receive new Zondervan Blog posts in your reader or email inbox, subscribe to Zondervan Blog.)

 

The Good News about Failure [Excerpt]

 

This post is for those of us who've thought, "When I get serious about spiritual growth, it seems like I just stumble more often. I'm taking one step forward, two steps backward!"

It feels discouraging, but there's good news for you. John Ortberg shares the news in this excerpt from The Me I Want to Be: Becoming God's Best Version of You. -Adam Forrest, Zondervan

 

Experts in the learning field sometimes talk about the J-curve, a graph measuring performance, in which someone initially does worse before they start improving. Their progress looks like a letter "J" when graphed, with an initial dip before things head upward.

 

The J-curve is normal: We do worse for a season before we do better.

 

John Ortberg

If you have been hitting tennis backhands the wrong way, when someone teaches you the correct grip, proper form, and right footwork, when you begin to try to hit them the right way — you will actually hit them worse than when you were trying the wrong way! If you stick with it, however, eventually your backhand will be far better than before. But you have to accept that at first it will be worse.

 

When the disciple Peter first exercised enough faith to get out of the boat, he sank and looked worse than any of the other disciples. When he tried to defend Jesus, he cut off a man's ear. When he promised to be loyal, he fell flat on his faith. When he tried to advise Jesus, he was a devil's advocate.

 

Jesus was so patient with his disciples that we might think of the J-curve as the Jesus-curve.

Eventually, though, Peter's faith and boldness and loyalty and wisdom enabled him to become a leader of the church. But he got worse before he got better. Notice that this did not surprise or discourage Jesus. In fact, Jesus was so patient with his disciples that we might think of the J-curve as the Jesus-curve. He will never stop helping a follower of his who is sincerely seeking to grow.

 

Jesus will always lead us toward growth, and growth always requires risk, and risk always means failure. So Jesus is always leading us into failure. But he never gives up on a student just because he or she fails.

 

If you haven't been confronting when you should and you begin, you will do it badly at first. If you have rarely encouraged people, your initial attempts may be clumsy. If you have never shared your faith with someone, the first time you do it you may stumble all over yourself.

 

Go ahead and stumble. Failure isn't falling down; failure is refusing to try. We ought to celebrate failure. We are living on the J-curve.

-John Ortberg

 

Q: Am I harder on myself than Jesus is?

 

Learn More

Learn more about John Ortberg's book, The Me I Want to Be.
Follow John Ortberg on Twitter: @johnortberg.

 

Suggested Posts

Looking for a Few Difficult Men and Women via John Ortberg
Why Does Jesus Give "Life to the Full"? via John Ortberg
What Helps YOU Grow? via John Ortberg

 

(Some styling above is a web-exclusive feature not included in the text of The Me I Want to Be. J-curve image from TMIWTB. This post does not represent the views of Zondervan or any of its representatives. The writer's personal opinions are shared only for information purposes. To receive new Zondervan Blog posts in your reader or email inbox, subscribe to Zondervan Blog.)