WALK IN LOVE

“And WALK IN LOVE, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us…” – Ephesians 5:2a

To walk in perfection is to WALK IN LOVE: “And WALK IN LOVE, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Eph.5:2). Love is the Apex as well as the bottom line of Christianity: “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is LOVE. PURSUE LOVE...” (1Cor.13:13 - 14:1a). Nothing counts without love: not diverse tongues, prophecy, understanding mysteries and knowledge, mountain-moving faith, generosity or self-immolation (1Cor.13:1-3). No one can go far spiritually or in any relationship without a sound love walk! Living a life ruled by God’s love opens you up to walk in the spirit and soar in the realms of blessings and power!

A suitor sent a love letter to his fiancée. It read: “Darling, I’d climb the highest mountain, sail the widest ocean, cross the hottest desert just to see you…I’ll be over Saturday night if it doesn’t rain.” Now, that’s fickle and shallow! Love is action, not empty promises. Our Lord showed us what true love is when He “laid down His life for us” and “we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers” (1Jh.3:16). The Greek word used here is “Agape” – sacrificial love, based on the will, not mere emotions. It’s not a feeling subject to the whims of our convenience, but a decision to love another despite the cost. The solution to the many broken marriages, friendships and relationships is a choice to love – to walk in the Law of Love (2Jh.6).

The love of God is already in every true Believer: “the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Rom.5:5b). The secret to walking in love is to decide to yield to that inner force of love. You have the ability to love like God, but you must make the choice, for Love is a Choice! You’ll have to resist the selfish tendencies of the flesh and choose to be governed by love. This is key to growing your love walk: Nurture a close relationship with God – fellowship with Him, read the Bible, pray and stay in union with Him. Always acknowledge how great His love for you truly is. He not only loves you as powerfully as He loves Jesus, He has also put the same mighty love in you to love like He loves!

Let God’s unconditional love flow to you and through you to others: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God…If we love one another, God dwells in us, and His love has been perfected in us” (1Jh.4:7,12b). Practice makes perfect! God’s love is perfected in you as you practice it toward other people. With every passing day, you’ll increasingly conform to the image of Jesus. Your relationships will blossom as others see Him in you. You’ll also see the best in others, not because you’re naive, but because the power of love can change the bad.

The Practice of Love is the mark of every true Christian: “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jh.13:35). Yes, God’s love-nature in us is often tested by difficult people or circumstances that try to make us act contrary to who we really are. But, that’s when we ought to be bold to walk in love and gain the victory: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear…” (1 Jh. 4:18a). God doesn’t force us to love others; He’s already put His love in our spirit and it’s up to us to let it out as we learn to relate with people from His perspective, seeing them the way He sees them!

Beloved, don’t miss small opportunities to love while waiting for big ones. With agape love, even small acts of love are big. “Let all that you do be done with LOVE” (1Cor.16:4). Love is Action. LOVE IN DEED is LOVE INDEED!