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“She’s so stuck up.” “Yeah, and he thinks he is God’s gift to girls.” Kids often hear and speak words like these. Adults remember them, too. People try acting like they think they’re not better than others—specifically to avoid such labels. But how should we view ourselves, really?

The Bible is clear, but two different passages seem to conflict. Jesus said, “If anyone comes to me and not hate his father and mother, and wife and children, and brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26). Don’t take this passage out of context.

Jesus was saying that allegiance to Him must be absolute—even when that loyalty is costly to us or to those whom we love. He wants first place in our lives, and He deserves that; He paid a high price for us. He willingly went to the cross to save us from eternal death.

Now that we understand, we can agree to put God first in our lives. So what about others, what about ourselves?

Every person has value to God. Jesus also said, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Here’s the conflict. God is first, who is next in our lives?

Love your neighbor as yourself makes “yourself” a high priority. God first. Self next. Everyone else same as self. Matthew 22:37-39 is clear. The greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul and mind. AND love your neighbor AS YOURSELF. God, you and all others next.

Don’t allow self-appreciation be mislabeled as egotism, conceit or pride. Reverencing self is different from selfishness or self-centeredness. We’re to care for our own body mind and spirit as treasured possessions. Honoring ourselves is honoring Christ, who died for us. No one can love others without first loving himself.

A believer’s self worth stems from our relationship to our creator. As a child of God, we’re to protect ourselves for all that has been given to us: salvation, indwelt Holy Spirit, unique talents. Love of self is essential to God’s plan for every believer.

Take Home Nugget
God cannot set us on the path of achieving His goals for our lives until we recognize our worth and love the person He created us to be. Our Father has a special plan for each of us. We’re to use our God-given abilities to the fullest extent in reaching these goals. Our goals and God’s goals for us mesh as one.

In humility we seek other’s needs before our own.
That does not mean we’re not to hold our head up high.
Loving others like self maintains a level zone
Where we all work towards our goals in the sky.