Me: An Excess of Self Love – The Degrees of Love. A Reflection from Streatham Vale

We have reminded ourselves that the Resurrection changes lives, but how are our lives changing? How can we know that we are growing spiritually? One of the measures of spiritual growth is a growth in love. Bernard of Clairvaux wrote a treatise “Of Loving God”, which spoke of the four degrees of love. In this time between Easter and Pentecost, let us consider our love, and question ourselves about which stage or degree of love we are in.

The first degree can be characterised by “me” – a selfish love that only looks out for the self. What can we learn about growing in faith as we consider excessive love of self?

1 John 4:15-21
1 Corinthians 13:13
2 Timothy 3:1-9
Matthew 6:1-2
Romans 7:15-20

“Excessively, and like a strong current burst the bank of self-control, flooding the field of self-indulgence.” (Bernard of Clairvaux, Of Loving God)

“Loving yourself for your own sake.” (Bernard of Clairvaux, Of Loving God)

“Scripture describes man as so curved in upon himself that he uses not only physical but even spiritual goods for his own purposes and in all things seeks only himself” (Luther’s Works, vol. 25, p. 345)

“The problem with self-esteem – whether it is high or low – is that, every single day, we are in the courtroom.” Tim Keller, Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness

“Do you realize that it is only in the gospel of Jesus Christ that you get the verdict before the performance?” Tim Keller, Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness

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