Those who keep the soul = those who love their neighbors

“A kind man benefits himself …” (Proverbs 11:17).

                The words that those who keep the soul, those who are merciful to others or those who love others, keep making me think.  I think it is a wonderful truth of Christianity that we need to be merciful to others and love them in order to protect our own souls.  And I understand little bit why the apostle Paul told the husbands to love their wives because it is loving themselves based on the truth that an unselfish life, a life of loving neighbors benefits our own souls.  This word makes me to think that Jesus loves Himself because He loves the church.  This word reminds me the essence of love, that is, God is love (1 Jn. 4:8, 16).  Then, in contrast, it can be said that a life of selfishness, a life of loving only oneself, is hating and hurting one's soul.  In the end, I think that we Christians are those whose souls are renewed to live a life of loving others.  It means that they no longer live a selfish life, but have a responsibility to protect their soul in an unselfish life.  As I love other souls in the grace given today, I want to keep my own soul.