To love your neighbor as yourself, you must first love yourself. Although sometimes it may be hard, you should love yourself because you’re made in God’s image, you are an awesome human, and you are loved by God. Instead of falling into arrogance or self-loathing, focus on others without neglecting self-care, and you’ll strike the right balance.

Mark 12:29-31 Rabbi Jesus said the greatest commandments are to love God and then to love your neighbors as yourself. Next week we’ll look at loving your neighbor, but today let’s consider loving yourself.

Why should you love yourself?

1. Created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27)

There are two ditches on either side of the narrow path of self-love.

1. Arrogance: thinking you’re better than others

The great secret to self-love is focusing on others. In other words, loving others is a major way to love yourself. Perhaps that’s why Jesus said to love your neighbor as you love yourself.

Ephesians 5:29 Although self-care may have been obvious to ancient people, it’s easy to work ourselves into the ground in modern times.