Counsel #2 — Self-Image And Your Neighbor

Picture: Counsel #2 — Self-Image And Your NeighborCMH 68.1

Recognizing that we are all interconnected and created in God's image is essential to maintaining our own healthy self-image. Matthew 22:37-39 states that we are commanded to love God "with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our mind," and to love our neighbor as ourselves. The love that God has for us becomes an essential component of our identity as we radiate this love to the world. Thus, maintaining a healthy self-image entails more than just buying new clothes and trying to boost your confidence through praise; it involves caring for your mental, emotional, and spiritual needs so that you can love and serve God and other people more effectively. This view reflects God’s image accurately and is the source of our own healthy self-image as our confidence is placed in Christ rather than in our own ego.^{[71]https://adventistreview.org/magazine-article/loving-others/}CMH 68.2

“Do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” Hebrews 13:16 NKJVCMH 68.3

“The whole work of grace is one continual service of love, of self-denying, self-sacrificing effort. All who are imbued with His Spirit will love as He loved. The very principle that actuated Christ will actuate them in all their dealing one with another.” Ellen White in God’s Amazing Grace, p. 145CMH 68.4

Reflect: Think about potential imbalances in your relationships. In which areas are you more focused on receiving than giving?CMH 68.5