Love
(Matthew 22:38-39)
As can be clearly seen, LOVE is an eternal principle embedded in the Old Covenant and is the central and only (Galatians 5:14; John 13:34; Matthew 7:12; 12:7; 25:40; Luke 6:31-32; 11:42, etc.) commandment (axiom) of the New Covenant. This single commandment is to be obeyed and projected by New Covenant enjoiners in three major directions, 1st - towards YHVH, 2nd – towards others (neighbor) and 3rd - towards the self (Briggs, 1994). Truly understanding and applying this single commandment to/in every scenario in life enables one to keep/observe the entire law and the prophets (Matthew 22:40; Romans 13:10; Galatians 5:14). Of the three directions, the priority direction is Love toward/for and of YHVH. The second priority direction is Love towards/for and of others. The last priority direction is the Love towards/for and of the self, which guides the believer on how to appropriately display Love towards YHVH and others.
What About Self-Love?
The love for self is implied and/or understood, since it is basic human nature to love self (Ephesians 5:29), but self-love must not be disproportionate or unbalanced. It must be in keeping with the scriptures. A disproportionate and unbalanced love of (and for) self, too far in either direction, causes psychopathology. Too much self-love in one direction leads to what can be called narcissism, for the lack of a better accepted globally understood term. This path follows the deeply self-centered carnal aspirations. It pursues the “world”, i.e., the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, with unacceptable energy to the neglect of others. This path is instigated by Satan to snare and destroy an individual and runs contrary to the instinctual well balanced social beings humans were created by YHVH to be.
Another direction relative to self-love is too little self-love. This leads to what can be called self-loathing, eating disorders, suicide (the death wish) and the like. Without proper and balanced self-love, one may not even seek soul salvation, let alone spiritual maintenance, the “survival of the species”, etc., etc. Ironically, and as can be seen, if one goes too far in either direction it can lead to damnation. Thus, the only prescription is balance, a balance that is best achieved through proper spirituality, which can be learned from the scriptures and then put into practice in everyday life.
Yes, the Bible teaches self denial (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23), even martyrdom, if need be (Acts 1:8; Matthew 10:39; 16:25; Mark 8:35; Luke 9:24; 17:33; John 12:25; Revelation 12:11), preferring thy “brother” (Romans 12:10; 14:15, 21; 1 Corinthians 8:11, 13; 1 Thessalonians 4:6; James 2:15; 4:11; 1 John 2:9-11; 3:10, 14, 15, 17; 4:20-21), laying down one’s life for the brethren (John 10:11-13, 15, 17-18; 15:13; 1 John 3:16) and so on. But to expand these teachings beyond their intended meanings and applications leads to psychopathology and beyond what is implied in scriptures.
Even Mashiyach made efforts to preserve his own life (John 10:39) and even taught his disciples (and others) to do so, which the Apostles heeded, by the way (Matthew 2:13; 10:23; 24:16; Mark 13:14; Luke 21:21; Acts 14:4-6; 2 Corinthians 11:33; Revelation 12:6). It is pointless to lay down one's life untimely and unnecessarily (John 10:39; 2 Timothy 2:13) for to do so is to deny the divine purpose (TDIC) and significance of the self (Mark 8:36) and its intended relationship to and with the whole (the "body"), i.e., a vessel of edification (1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Colossians 2:19; Ephesians 4:16; 5:29), guided by the Biblical definition of LOVE (1 Corinthians 13). The Apostles said things like “take heed unto thyself” (Luke 21:34; Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 4:16) and used the nurturing of the bride (wife) analogy (Ephesians 4:16; 5:28; 1 Peter 3:7) that was to be conducted and modeled after appropriate and balanced self-love (nurturing). In other words, when self-love is properly developed it yields a healthy, balanced and acceptable living/style of life—a love that not only tolerates but promotes love for YHVH and for others a level above self-centered aspirations, but not to the neglect and destruction of the self as a living soul that is a co-heir with the divine (Romans 8:17; Galatians 3:29; Titus 3:7; Hebrews 1:14; James 2:5).
NOTE: The pursuit of martyrdom as promoted by some religious groups, like radical Islamists, or Jim Jones, etc is off the mark. Martyrdom is not something to be sought, or self initiated, but if it should come, it is to come from sources outside the self and for Mashiyach’s name sake. And should it come, Mashiyach taught that with YHVH’s power within the believer, they can face death and overcome (Acts 1:8; Revelation 12:11), but Mashia was NOT promoting the pursuit of it.
NOTE: A small and concise introduction of this vital doctrine can be found at the link provided below. When Dr. Briggs' e-book is published, which solely focuses on this doctrine in an expanded version, a link will be provided here on this web page as well as other locations on WCMA's website.
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