The Biblical Command Of Self-Love

Self-love is not a phrase one might expect sincere, theologically sound Christians to speak of in a positive way.  Yet self-love of a kind is implicitly commanded by Scripture, and the very nature of our metaphysical status as human beings deserves that we give ourselves our own respect.  This love of oneself is quite distinct from the concept of selfishness, which I will define below.

Leviticus 19:18, a verse familiar to many Christians, instructs us to love our neighbors as ourselves, and Jesus affirms this as at the heart of the Law alongside love of God in Matthew 22.  The basis for treating other humans in a certain morally-obligatory manner is that they are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-28) and thus have an intrinsic value simply by nature of being human.  Animals have value on the Christian worldview as well, yet it is a lesser value compared to that of human beings since they are not made in God's image.  But there is an interesting component to the command in Leviticus 19:18 to love one's neighbor that, unfortunately, I do not see emphasized very much, despite the entire meaning of the command resting on it: one has an obligation to love and respect oneself as a bearer of God's image.  Indeed, the command to love your neighbor as yourself only makes logical sense if you have metaphysical value as well!

Selfishness is different than the love of self I am describing.  There are two general meanings of the word love--1) a concern for the wellbeing of someone/something and 2) strong affection for someone/something.  Never does Scripture instruct us to have strong personal affection for every other person, though there is nothing wrong with this, but a concern for the wellbeing of every other human being is demanded of us.  We are also obligated to have that same concern for our own ultimate wellbeing, since we are bearers of God's image just like the other humans we interact with.  Selfishness, contrarily to self-love as I have defined it, is a focus on oneself that excludes or discourages the right love of others.

There is absolutely nothing about the self-love I have described that contradicts the fact that we, though we possess a great value, are fallen beings that are capable of great wickedness.  But because of the way this may puzzle some I need to address this issue.  My own sinfulness does not negate that I bear God's image.  Yes, it certainly mars the splendor of this status I have, and that is why only reconciliation to God can restore this image to what it was initially intended to be.  Yet even if I was unsaved at this very moment that image still remains in me, and my actions cannot fully extinguish the value that image brings with it.  This is not a contradiction.

While the obligation to love one's neighbor's as oneself extends to all people, it can have particular potency for those who struggle with self-esteem issues, mental illness, and feelings of guilt that linger after sin is repented of.  Some more than others can find liberation in this knowledge.  We must never ignore the stain of sin, but we also must never forget that we, like our neighbors, are imbued with a unique status and value by God.