There are three objects of love. (Matthew 22:37-40)
God
Knowing a God who bestows upon humans a steadfast love is awesome. Sadly, a vast majority of people do not know the living and loving God. Once a person knows the loving God, they should commit to the love, to please Him by all means. That is possible, by loving the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul, strength, stamina, skills, abilities, riches, wealth, knowledge, and everything under possession. Indeed, God first loved us; hence, enthusiastically, his disciples should respond with great fervency. (I John 4:19)
Self
The second part contains two objects of love. A person has to love himself/herself, and show the same measure of love to others. First, loving oneself means to accept oneself as an individual created in the image of God. God loves each person and wants to come into a personal relationship with God. (John 1:12) Second, God gives dignity to each person. By creating in the image of God and sending His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die for sinners, God gave dignity to humans. They are worth being created and worth being redeemed. Third, God gives rights to humans. God did not annihilate Adam and Eve when they sinned, but allowed them to explain their foolishness. Only the Christian God gives rights to humans, and not any other religion or human organisations like the United Nations. Four, God gives humans the freedom of choice. Freewill or free choice is a great gift. Adam and Eve chose to disobey God, and so do millions. However, responsible use of free will is to accept God’s will, purpose, and plan in life. Five, self-care is important. To keep the body holy as the Temple of the Holy Spirit. (I Corinthians 6:19)
Others
It is a discipline of extending the same dignity, favour, freedom, care, rights, and kindness to others. (Luke 6:31) Others include Spouses, children, parents, siblings, relatives, friends, neighbours, colleagues, and strangers. As God does not show favouritism, neither should disciples of the Lord. (Romans 2:11)
Do I love God, myself and others as God intended?