In Kierkegaard's "Works of Love" the author asks if it is possible to "love someone more than oneself." considering that the Bible commands people to "love thy neighbor as thyself." When I first read that quote I thought yes! Of course it is possible or a person to love another more than they do them self. Most mothers certainly love their children more than anyone can would even die for them, and people in love might give up their own lives for the one they care about. Then my bubble was popped when I read the line "There is only one whom a person can (love) with the truth of eternity love more than himself-that is God." I stopped right there and started to blog. I thought that I loved my mom more than myself, and my boyfriend more than myself, but then I realized that it is all for selfish reasons and I am actually loving myself. I love my mom because she takes care of me and is always there for me. I might say that I would die for the person I love as others have done, but that is because I wouldn't want to live after the person I cared so much about died. It is all selfish. The only person we can truly love more than ourself is God, and I think that even that may be for selfish reasons. I'll admit that when I was 5 and "got saved" the main reason was because I didn't want to go to hell. I've gown in my faith now, but the promise of heaven is still the main reason I became a Christian 14 years ago. I never realized how selfish love is, and it's really upsetting to figure that out.
-Susan
I commented on "Thoughts" by Jamie Kilpack
Oh my gosh I was thinking the exact same when I read that! I was thinking about how I would easily sacrifice myself to save my family or my boyfriend. It is very upsetting to figure out that when it comes to love, we are all selfish. It kind of broke my heart to realize that. I'm glad I was not the only person who had this thought.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the same thing as well. I was certain that I love my family or my boyfriend more than myself. In reality though, the reason I love them is because of my own selfish nature. It was difficult to swallow. I don't want to be selfish, but that is my nature. The only think I can really do is ask God to help me humble myself, but even if I became the most humble person in the world, I'm not sure it would truly be possible to love someone else more than I love myself.
ReplyDeleteAh... You bring up an interesting idea... Can we even love God simply for selfish reasons? Yes!! I wonder how many people actually love God MORE than themselves... do I? What exactly is it that makes us love God more than ourselves? More than what he can do for us? Maybe, Keeping in line with Kierkegaard's train of thought, it is simply the realization that he HAS DONE for us and ALWAYS WILL do for us... a realization of his eternal nature. This would be loving him out of "adoration." But still, are these purely selfish reasons? What makes us love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind.... Or better yet, how many of us actually do?
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