Call Us: 423 661-4734 | Email: requests@comeandreason.com      
Jak miłować samego siebie?

Jak miłować samego siebie?

A on odpowiedział: Będziesz miłował Pana, swego Boga, całym swym sercem, całą swą duszą, z całej swojej siły i całym swym umysłem, a swego bliźniego jak samego siebie” (Ew. Łukasza 10:27 UBG).

Większość z nas dobrze zna ten werset biblijny. Wiemy, że mamy kochać Boga i bliźnich, a miarą miłości do bliźniego jest miłość do samego siebie.

Ale co to znaczy miłować samego siebie i jak to wygląda w rzeczywistości?

Od lat otrzymuję pytania dotyczące znaczenia tego fragmentu od ludzi zmagających się z pytaniem: jak miłować ludzi tak samo jak siebie? Niektórzy obawiają się, że miłowanie samego siebie graniczy z egoizmem, ale jeśli się mylą, to na czym polega różnica?

Odpowiedź na to pytanie wymaga najpierw zdefiniowania, czym jest miłość a czym jest egoizm/samolubstwo.

Miłość jest oparta na zasadzie dawania — nie dawania po prostu czegokolwiek, ale dawania tego, co jest w harmonii z Bożym planem na życie: tego co dobre, szlachetne, prawdziwe, czyste, święte — tego, co uzdrawia, odnawia, odtwarza, buduje, pobudza, odświeża, kształtuje. Innymi słowy, miłość daje to, co jest niezbędne do osiągnięcia Bożych celów. Motywacją miłości jest pragnienie błogosławienia innych — czy to Boga, czy też ludzi.

Samolubstwo natomiast ma swoje korzenie w obawach, zazdrości i rywalizacji, i jest oparte na zasadzie zagarniania w celu górowania nad innymi, wynoszenia się, i wyzysku bliźnich. Jest to dążenie do zdobycia władzy dla swoich własnych celów — nie po to, by stać się błogosławieństwem dla innych, ale dla własnych korzyści.

Czasami trudno jest zauważyć różnicę pomiędzy postępowaniem kogoś, kto miłuje siebie samego według zasad biblijnych, a kogoś kto kieruje się jedynie egoistycznymi motywami. Na przykład, dwie osoby mogą się zdrowo odżywiać, ale osoba motywowana miłością robi to w celu utrzymania świątyni Ducha Świętego w jak najlepszym stanie aby wypełnić Boży cel i być błogosławieństwem dla innych, podczas gdy osoba egoistyczna robi to albo ze strachu przed złamaniem praw zdrowia i wpadnięciem w prawne tarapaty z Bogiem, albo żeby móc się chwalić swoimi osiągnięciami, np. w dziedzinie kulturystyki.

Miłować samego siebie zgodnie z Bożym zamysłem znaczy dbać o siebie, pamiętać, że jesteśmy Jego dziećmi, i w związku z tym nie zatruwać swojego ciała substancjami uszkadzającymi mózg, upośledzającymi myślenie, niszczącymi zdrowie lub zniewalającymi nas jakimś nałogiem.

Miłować siebie samego to zapewnienie sobie zdrowego wyżywienia, sensownych ćwiczeń, odpowiedniej ilości snu, nawodnienia oraz odpoczynku psychicznego i duchowego — utrzymywanie swojego ciała i ducha w jak najlepszym stanie, abyśmy mogli służyć Bogu swoim życiem.

Kiedy miłujemy siebie, pielęgnujemy również swojego ducha, przyswajając Słowo Boże poprzez regularne studiowanie Biblii oraz spędzanie czasu z Bogiem — rozmawiając z Nim, rozmyślając nad Jego słowem, charakterem, stworzeniem i błogosławieństwach — starając się przy tym kształtować na Jego podobieństwo.

Miłować siebie oznacza wierność wobec siebie — nie zdradzać samego siebie poprzez branie udziału w czymś, co wiemy, że nie jest dla nas właściwe. Kiedy miłujemy samego siebie, nie poddajemy się presji rówieśników ani nie pozwalamy się manipulować emocjonalnie przez tych, co próbują nas nakłonić do zrobienia czegoś, o czym wiemy, że jest niestosowne. Niezależnie od tego, czy jest to kwestia moralna (np. zażywanie nielegalnych narkotyków) czy kwestia nie mająca nic wspólnego z moralnością (np. adopcja czyjegoś psa czy kota), jeśli miłujemy siebie, wówczas robimy tylko to, co naszym zdaniem jest według nas właściwe i zgodnie z wolą Bożą.

A co to znaczy kochać Boga „całym swym sercem, całą swą duszą, z całej swojej siły i całym swym umysłem”?

Oznacza to, że całkowicie i zupełnie oddajemy się Bogu, i dlatego staramy się wysławiać Go z całego serca, a we wszystkim, co robimy, działać na korzyść Jego królestwa.

Czy to oznacza, że mamy nie brać urlopu, bo byłoby to samolubne? Nie! Urlop jest przykładem miłowania siebie po Bożemu, gdyż odpoczynek, regeneracja, dbanie o zdrowie, są nieodzowne, aby utrzymać się w dobrej kondycji i być przydatnym dla sprawy Bożej.

Jedną z pułapek szatana (jeśli nie może nakłonić nas do robienia czegoś złego) jest przytłoczenie nas tyloma zacnymi i pożytecznymi projektami, obowiązkami i odpowiedzialnościami, że zapominamy o miłowaniu siebie, zarzucamy odpoczynek i przepracowujemy się do tego stopnia, że się wypalamy i stajemy się bezużyteczni w sprawie Bożej. Oznacza to, że nie miłujemy siebie samych na tyle, by wyposażyć się we wszystko, co jest potrzebne do zachowania zdrowia.

Mamy żyć w miłości do Boga i ludzi, ale to wymaga, abyśmy najpierw kochali samych siebie w sposób zaprojektowany przez Boga dla naszego dobra.

Prowadzi nas to do najważniejszej zasady, którą musimy uwzględnić, gdy udzielamy komuś opieki.

Jeśli jesteś opiekunem — niezależnie od tego, czy jesteś rodzicem opiekującym się dzieckiem, lekarzem lub pielęgniarką opiekującą się pacjentem, czy też dorosłą osobą opiekującą się starszym rodzicem — pierwszą zasadą sprawowania opieki jest zdrowie opiekuna, ponieważ jeśli stracisz zdrowie, wówczas nie będziesz mógł zapewnić opieki komuś innemu i będziesz sam wymagał opieki. Dlatego ważne jest, aby się zastanowić i ustalić, jakie są podstawowe wymagania w twoim życiu niezbędne do utrzymania cię przy zdrowiu — takie jak 7 do 8 godzin snu na dobę, regularne zdrowe posiłki, ćwiczenia, osobista medytacja i modlitwa oraz odpoczynek w szabat, relaks i rekreacja. Można je zarzucić jedynie w pilnych przypadkach, na niedługi okres czasu.

Nawet Jezus, nasz Zbawiciel i Wzór, regularnie opuszczał potrzebujących ludzi, aby zaczerpnąć odpoczynku, posiłku, snu, i spędzić czas z przyjaciółmi i ze swoim Ojcem.

Dlatego zachęcam cię, abyś miłował Boga i swego bliźniego tak bardzo, jak bardzo miłujesz samego siebie!

 

Donate online, securely via PayPal using your credit or debit card (no PayPal account needed, unless you want to set up a monthly, recurring payment).


cancel recurring payment

 

Want to use zelle instead?
See how on our
Support and Donations page.

Upcoming Events

calendar

Testimonial Post Slider

Testimony 17

The blessings of clarity and understanding you and your class inspire me to take from the word of God have impressed upon me so greatly the true, loving character of our Creator. I have found amazing freedom and joy through building a stronger, more intentional relationship with Him. What is new is that this is now a relationship built on love, reverence and respect rather than fear and obligation, and as such my eyes have been slammed OPEN as I am continually impressed by the manifestations of God’s true character in His provisions for fallen man.

T.E.H., Salt Lake City, UT, USA

 

Testimony 61

I grew up in a prominent protestant church and had what I like to call religious anxiety. I’ve always had questions about God and Salvation that no one could seem to answer.  I didn’t know how to find resolution. During 2020, at the height of my anxiety, I fell to my knees and begged God to show me truth and light and to give me the hope that I’ve been longing for. Days later, I stumbled upon your online videos and it was like a veil was lifted and EVERYTHING made sense! For the first time in my almost 39 years of life, my religious/spiritual anxiety has lessened. I feel a sense of freedom and peace I’ve NEVER had before… and it’s all because my view of God has changed. Thank you!

Ashleighn C.

 

Testimony 39

[This ministry is the] biggest blessing I have ever received! Your DVDs and lessons could not have come at a better time in my life. I have experienced in the past year many difficulties that, if it wasn’t for this wonderful view of God that I have discovered through this ministry, I would not have been able to respond in love and forgiveness. My heart is being transformed everyday by the Calvary-looking God you teach. Hallelujah!! I have tears in my eyes as I write, because my life has taken a complete turn from where I was heading.

I am from Central America. Most of my family is scattered in different parts of the world and all have the same view of God that I had growing up; a distant, exacting, and ready-to-punish-us-with-tragedy type of God. So, I have been translating lessons for my family and, to my surprise, they have also been sharing them with others! I can already see the difference. My brother has often said, “Thank you for sharing, I have never heard it this way!” My other family members are taking an amazing turn from a message of “repent or burn” towards a loving God, pleading to us that we won’t reject him because he loves us eternally.

Bless you for all you do.

Sofia S., Ashfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 70

I have been watching you for many years and have learned to love God with all my heart. I was raised by a loving Christian mother that had been lied to about who God really was, so our religious upbringing was hell fire and damnation. As soon as I was old enough and moved out, I not only left the church, I ran as fast as I could to get away from it. Sad to say, it wasn’t until the past couple of years that I learned and understand who my Father really is and how much He loves me. I understand God’s Design Laws (which make sense) and when I’m teaching my church Bible study class, I’m able to really put to use the things I’ve been learning and Holy Spirit is leading. Thank you for introducing me to my Father of true, pure love. Everyday with Him is new and exciting. One thing that breaks my heart is that I didn’t know Him sooner. God Bless you and your ministry!

Judy Phelps, Reno, NV, USA

Testimony 76

Warm greetings from Tanzania! I just wanted to take a moment to thank you and your team at Come And Reason Ministries for the amazing work you do. Your teachings have opened my eyes to deep biblical truths and how to live them out in real life. I started following the ministry back in 2018, and ever since, my walk with God has grown so much stronger. I’ve found freedom from fear-based faith and now live with more peace and trust in Him. I’ve also been sharing what I’ve learned, especially through Bible School discussions. Your lessons are so insightful and well-explained that I try not to miss a single one. May God continue to bless the work you’re doing.
Elisha M., Tanzania, Africa

Testimony 35

I am so pleased with the response your message is receiving at my church from the middle-aged to the young adults. I have given out 100 copies of the first two seminars and there are more request every week. One of my [class members] came to me after viewing the series, grateful and impressed with how easy the message was retained. He had been a Seventh-day Adventist in fear all his life, and felt like the scales were removed from his eyes after viewing the seminars. I am so impressed by the change I see in members who have received this message, we are in one accord. However, I am sadden by the negative response of the older people. I am verbally attacked anytime I talk about imposed laws, but I believe my mission is to enlightened everyone I can. I watch your Bible Study Class on YouTube every Friday night and I feel like I am apart of the class. All of you are in one accord and I am so blessed to have found you. I pray that all of you continue to spread this message and I am committed to doing my part.

Clara S., Westfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 8

Thank you for the ministry you are sharing with us, it is a real blessing to us and especially to my husband and myself! You are encouraging us to think for ourselves and not just to except everything, without thinking it through, with God’s word!

M.K., USA

 

Testimony 71

When I was 9 years old, I remember setting at our devotional table with a hunger and thirst for God that wanted more, deeper, BETTER. I can remember literally crying and pounding on the table, “I know these teachers didn’t mean to give us error. They taught what THEY had been TAUGHT, but didn’t ANYBODY READ THE BOOK?!?!?” It mattered to me then. It mattered to me as a teenager. It matters now as I teach bible classes. It didn’t have to be so hard as I watched so many give up and lay God’s great plan and gift of salvation aside as being “impossible.” Then, a friend sent me a link to Come And Reason’s website. I grew excited. YES! FINALLY! Then another friend told me to stay away, saying her son had just broken up with a girl because she was involved with Come And Reason and that “Tim Jennings preaches a false gospel.” But, AFTER many years of developing an authentic and, dare I say FUN relationship with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit I see this message has been around a LONG time, since the apostle Paul, Ellen White, Graham Maxwell, Ray Foucher, and yourself (though I admit, you’ve made me back up, rewind and replay the clips, and get out my well-worn Bible on a few things.) I’m so thankful I have found LIGHT during these DARK days. I am not alone.

Vicki DiNitto

Testimony 66

I am incredibly grateful for the transformative impact you’ve had on my life, and words cannot fully express my appreciation. Over the years, I have been an avid listener and follower of C&R and extend my heartfelt thanks for creating the C&R mobile app. It has allowed me to immerse myself in your lessons repeatedly, enabling me to grasp the profound significance about the Character of God, Design Law, the protocols for life, the reasons behind the current chaos, and Christ’s mission to restore everything. They have deeply touched me. Having studied with various churches, I came away with the perception that God is no different from the deities of ancient Greek or Roman mythology—demanding sacrifices and taking pleasure in bloodshed. Thanks to your transformative teachings, I have experienced a profound awakening to the true nature of God and the immense power of His love. It is truly a remarkable and liberating sensation to finally grasp the truth and embrace the empowering nature of God’s laws. My self-perception has become brighter and more infused with love. My journey of growth continues on a daily basis.

Chris P., Lake Mary, FL, USA

 

Testimony 62

I would like to express my thanks to the C&R team for creating a platform from which people can learn to trust in God and grow. My life is a witness to the effectiveness of this ministry. Without believing the truth about God as you have shown, I don’t know what my life would be like. I had given up on God helping me with certain sins – it was all useless. Given that the scripture is clear and God is so good, how could I have betrayed him so many times? I was a yo-yo christian; spinning up and down. My faith and enthusiasm was driven by discoveries/threats that prophecy is about to be fulfilled. But when I watched your “Healing the Mind” seminar, it was like a light finally went on. I could see God had no plan to hurt me, the danger came from sin, and that He is working to protect me and strengthen me. Thank you for allowing God to use you. The message God gave C&R saved my life!

Antony N. – Hobart, Australia

 

Testimony 19

I truly believe that to know who God really is the first step to understand ourselves in a balanced and kind way, so the healing can take place. Your approach really makes sense – Thank you for your ministry!

A.M., Pittsburg, PA, USA

Testimony 12

I have been really blessed reading your response to the various questions on your site.

K.C., OH, USA

 

Testimony 47

I can’t even begin to thank you and your ministry enough for introducing me to the Truth about a loving and merciful God! I have my daughter and her in-laws to thank for sharing with me “The God-Shaped Brain” as well as your website. I listen to the Bible study class lessons on my daily walk. May God continue to bless your thirst-quenching ministry!

Liz H., Port Angeles, WA, USA

 

 

Testimony 34

I was introduced to Come and Reason Ministries by accident, via a passing comment made in a bible study class we were visiting. I checked this website out and my life was changed. The understanding of the truth of God’s character, and how we apply it, is so right. The tricky part is consistently applying which “lens” to look through. As I began to understand, I started sharing the basics of this understanding with a discussion group I was leading and, suddenly, a lot of things started to make sense that never used to. At the same time, I enjoyed an amazing opportunity. I was able to conduct a full bible study at WORK! What an amazing experience! It is such a joy to share the truth about God and to share how it all fits in the war between God and Satan. So many people benefit when we have a correct understanding about how God works and who He really is! Thank you for this transformational understanding. Keep up the good work! God Bless you!

Tony P., CA, USA

 

Testimony 48

I just want to tell you how blessed I have been reading “The Remedy!” It has become a daily part of my devotional relationship with God. In it I have found a God of love and a God that loves me! The bible has come alive for me! It is the first time that I can say that I have felt hope fill my heart as I have read God’s word. This is good news I can share! Thank you, Dr Jennings! Thank you for your heart for others. I can’t put into words how this has set me free! It has strengthened my trust and love for God.

Jason H.