Loved to Love: Discovering Self Through Christ

I want to talk about something that I believe is crucial not just for me but for all of us, especially in the busy and sometimes overwhelming phase of our lives. I want you guys to understand and embrace Jesus' love for us and how His love can transform how we see and love ourselves.

Our main verse today comes from 1 John 4:19, "We love because He first loved us." This short verse is profound and packed with meaning, and it will guide our discussion.

**Introduction:**

When we think about love, so many things come to mind: family, friends, maybe even that special someone. But how often do we consider the source of all love—Jesus? Our ability to love, including loving ourselves, stems from understanding and accepting the love Jesus has for us.

**Point 1: Recognizing Jesus' Love**

First, let’s talk about recognizing Jesus' love. It’s crucial to understand that His love is unconditional. No matter your background, your mistakes, or your doubts, Jesus loves you immensely. Let that sink in for a moment—His love does not depend on our achievements or our righteousness; it's given freely to us all.

We can turn to Romans 5:8, which says, "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Think about that—He loved us at our lowest, not at our best. This is the essence of unconditional love. When we didn't even know Him, when we might have turned our backs on Him, He was there, offering love that seeks nothing in return.

Imagine a love so extensive that it contains all your past mistakes, a love so deep that it forgives all sins. This is the love Jesus offers. It’s not a love that says, “Clean up your act, then I’ll love you.” It’s a love that says, “I see your mess and I’m stepping into it to bring you out of it.”

Now, reflecting on this big love, ask yourself: How often do we extend this kind of unconditional love to ourselves? To others? It's easy to love when things are good, when people meet our expectations, when we meet our own expectations. But loving without conditions, loving like Jesus, requires us to embrace and offer love especially in the midst of failures and shortcomings.

Let’s challenge ourselves to not only recognize this profound love but also to truly accept it. Accepting Jesus' love means acknowledging that we are worth loving not because of what we do or what we achieve, but simply because we are His creations. This acceptance can transform the way we view ourselves and how we interact with others.

**Point 2: Accepting Jesus' Love**

Accepting this love can sometimes be harder than it sounds. It’s like receiving a gift you feel you don’t deserve; you might hesitate to take it. You may think, "Why me? Am I really worthy of this?" Here’s the thing—Jesus’ love isn’t based on our worthiness. It’s based on His grace, His decision to love us as we are, not as we think we should be.

To truly love ourselves, we must first accept that we are loved unconditionally by Him. This acceptance is not about acknowledging a concept—it's about embracing a deep, personal truth. It's understanding that Jesus' love doesn't fluctuate with our successes or failures. It is steadfast, overwhelming, and all-inclusive. When we start to see ourselves through this lens of unconditional love, something beautiful happens.

This acceptance allows us to forgive ourselves. How often do we hold onto our past mistakes, letting them define us? Yet, if the Lord can forgive us so freely, who are we to hold onto these burdens? Letting go gives us freedom, the freedom to move past our imperfections and not be chained by them.

Seeing ourselves through Jesus' eyes changes our perspective. He sees us not just for who we are, but for who we can become. He sees the potential, the beauty, and the gifts in each of us. When we start to view ourselves in the same way, our approach to life and to ourselves changes. We become kinder to ourselves, more patient, and more optimistic about the future.

Each step of accepting His love is a step towards healing, a step towards true self-love. It's a journey worth taking, for in finding His love, we find the truest form of love for ourselves and for others. Let's embrace His gift, not with hesitation, but with open hearts, ready to be transformed by it.

**Point 3: Reflecting Jesus' Love**

Once we accept Jesus' love, our next step is to reflect that love back to ourselves and others. 1 John 4:11-12 tells us, "Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us." This passage is a powerful it is saying that our love for others isn’t just a command; it’s a reflection of the divine love that fills us.

**Illustration:**

Imagine a mirror facing the sun. When the sunlight hits the mirror, it doesn’t stay with the mirror; it reflects back. Similarly, when God's love reaches us, it’s not meant to end with us. Our hearts are like that mirror, designed to reflect His love to others around us.

**Application:**

How do we reflect this love in practical terms? It starts with how we treat ourselves. If you struggle with self-esteem or self-worth, remember that you are valuable because you are loved by God. Treat yourself with kindness and grace, not with harshness or judgment. When you start seeing yourself through the eyes of Jesus, you can begin to extend that same grace and kindness to others.

**Challenge:**

This week, I challenge you to do two things. First, every morning, remind yourself of God’s unconditional love for you. You might even want to post a verse like 1 John 4:11-12 somewhere you can see it daily. Second, find a way each day to show love to someone else. It could be as simple as a kind word, a helpful gesture, or even just a smile. Remember, every act of love is a reflection of God’s love.

**Encouragement:**

By loving others, we are living out the love God has shown us, and this includes how we treat ourselves. When we live this way, God’s love is made complete in us—His love reaches its full expression through our actions. What a beautiful way to make a tangible difference in our world!

**Conclusion:**

Loving yourself isn’t about self-indulgence or selfishness; it’s about recognizing your value as a beloved child of God. It’s about treating yourself with kindness and respect because you know you are created in the image of God. When you start to view yourself through the lens of Jesus’ love, you begin to treat yourself differently, you hold yourself in higher regard—not because of pride, but because of divine appreciation.

In closing, remember that self-love starts with Jesus' love. We were able to love only because He first loved us. Let that love fill you up, change your heart, and guide how you live every day.

Let’s pray together.

[End with a prayer that reinforces the sermon's message, asking for guidance in accepting Jesus' love and reflecting it outward in self-love and love for others.]