You can find the video here: https://www.facebook.com/1415702701879327/videos/366030741239469
James 2:14-16
So yesterday we heard how it isn’t just enough to love God, we must also direct that love outward toward others. One could say that it is impossible to fully love God with your muchness – your heart, soul, mind, strength, and not show that same holistic love to other people. So the last part of that commandment, tells us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. So how do we love ourselves?
Well – it’s not about being selfish. Please do not confuse this with being selfish. Loving ourselves is about self care. Fred Rogers – Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood – said this on one of his shows.
“The toughest thing is to love somebody who has done something mean to you, especially when that somebody is yourself. Have you done anything mean to yourself? Well it’s very important to look inside yourself and find that loving part of you. That’s the part that you must take good care of and never be mean to. Because that’s the part of you that allows you to love your neighbor. And your neighbor is anyone you happen to be with at anytime of your life. Respecting and loving your neighbor can give everybody a good feeling.”
He’s so right – we have to pay close attention to the part within us that loves other people and take good care of that part of us so that it will function the way God intended us to towards each other.
James 2:14–17 (NIV) What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
James was addressing a church that had a diverse socioeconomic culture. The church members would play favoritism with those who were wealthy , and neglect the members who were poor.
James needed to emphasize that real faith works – it puts forth action it doesn’t just cultivate heartfelt praise or theological belief. Real faith is expressed in the service of others.
Faith must have action to express its beliefs and passionate convictions. The love we have for God must be shown in taking care of the physical needs of the poor.
The greatest commandment, discusses loving God – a very personal relationship with God. It would be difficult to properly love God if I did not first understand His love for me and my value. It would be difficult to fully love God if my heart and mind were filled with self-hatred. Loving God with every aspect of myself and experiencing and understanding His love for me helps me share that love for my neighbor.