Self-Love

Aim: To understand that we benefit ourselves, when we bless everyone with whom we are in covenant.

Doctrine: The covenantal oneness of the Christ-headed church sanctifies a legitimate ''self-love.'' This hits close to home, in marriage; this is perfectly modeled for us, by Jesus.

Exegesis: How Christian ''self-love'' harmonizes with God's glory: it runs parallel with Ephesians 5:25 (v. 28); it has a holy example, in Christ (v. 29); it is perfected in the church (v. 30).

Further application: What proper ''self-love'' teaches all believers: what we do to God's churchmen, we do to ourselves; and what is good for one member of the body, is good for all.

Key verse: v. 28 ''So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.''