How To Walk In Love

Much of what goes on in our world today can be characterized by conflict. We have conflict between individuals, between families, between groups, between races, between religions and between nations. Conflict is motivated by self-interest. It leads to outcomes where one party wins and the other party looses. Such losses are not forgotten. There are stored away, until an opportunity for vengeance surfaces. So we see that conflict begets more conflict. And this we can see in our history.

But as we look down through history we discover the example of one who suggested a different way for individuals to relate to each other; a way where self-interest was made subject to the interest of others. This, of course is, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Messiah. And his way was one of self-giving love.

Romans 5:8 – “But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Be imitators of God

So Paul says to us in Ephesians chapter 5, “Be therefore imitators of God” An imitator is one who tries to act like another. So we should imitate God. So, what is God like? Well, it is his nature to love: 1 John 4:8…”God is love”. What the Apostle John is saying is that there is no greater expression of love than God. He defines what love is. So let us first look at God; what can we learn from him:

  • · God is a creator; he gives life to his creation
  • · God is a provider and a sustainer; he looks after the needs of his creation
  • · God is a healer; he restores that which is broken
  • · God is a counselor; he provides guidance and direction to his people
  • · God is a comforter; he provides relief to his people

And the greatest picture of God’s love for us has been demonstrated by the life and death of His son, Jesus:

John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

1 John 4:9-10-“By this was God’s love revealed in us, that God has sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

When it came to showing God’s love, Jesus did not hold anything back. He demonstrated love without limits because he represented God’s everlasting love.

Is it possible for us to love like this? Well, we as God’s children have the potential to tap into that same source of love. Paul tells us in Ephesians chapter 5, “Be therefore imitators of God, as beloved children.…” You see, we are God’s children, we have the same likeness; the same nature. Remember in what it says in Genesis 1:27- “God created man in his own image. In God’s image he created him; male and female he created them.” Also, when you received God’s Spirit, he put his love into your heart:

Romans 5:5 “…God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

So what are you? You are a loved child of God. You have been and are now benefiting and will continue to experience God’s love for you. Each day God continues to give you life, provide for your needs, heal your body, soul and mind, guide you and comfort you.

So as a Child of God you are already experiencing God’s love, but more than that you are love enabled. Would God ever tell you to do something you could not do? Well, look what Christ has told us to do:

John 13:34-35-“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just like I have loved you; that you also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

What does it mean to love one another? Is it a feeling that we express? No. It is behavior and actions motivated by Christ

To imitate just as Christ

To love someone means:

  • · To accept that person
  • · To want to please that person
  • · To look out for that person’s welfare
  • · To put that person’s interests before one’s own interests

To love others you must

  • · Think well of others; Philippians 4:8-“Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things.” What about your thoughts? Are you dwelling on the faults of others? Have you believed rumors and false accusations about others? Are you ignoring the good qualities of others? This is where love starts. Change your thinking. Every thought weather positive or negative sows a seed that later reaps a behavior. Sow positive thoughts in your mind and you will find it easier to show love to others.
  • · Speak well of others; James 5:9-“Don’t grumble, brothers, against one another, so that you won’t be judged. Behold, the judge stands at the door.” When you talk about others do you speak about the faults and short comings? You do pass on negative information about others? But, if you care about the feelings and well being of others you will learn to hold your tongue. And do not forget you always reap what you sow; if you speak negatively about your brother or sister in Christ, it is likely that some one with speak negatively about you.
  • · Speak well to others; Ephesians 4:29-“Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.” So we can demonstrate Christ’s love by building each other up.
  • · Prayer for others and look for opportunities to do good to others; Luke 6:27-28- “But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.” We can always show love to one another by praying for each other. And if you have a complaint about someone or if you think you should confront a person about some deed they have done or some word they have spoken, the thing to do is to pray about it rather than take action. You see, in our own strength and wisdom, we can not change a person. We may often see something that needs to be changes, but we should take the issue to God because he does have the power to change an individual. So make the issue a matter of prayer. Then if God wants you to get involved in the situation, he will instruct. And always be looking for opportunities to do good to others. Solomon warns us in Proverbs 3:27- “Don’t withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do it.”
  • · Serve others; Galatians 5:13-“For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don’t use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another.”

So these are all these ways your can love others: think well, speak well, pray for, do good and serve others. Deep down inside God has placed in you a desire to love others. The only thing that stands in your way is self. To love others we will have to put self to death:

We need to count ourselves dead to sin and to our sinful nature:

Romans 6:11- “Thus also consider yourselves also to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:13- “if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”

And offer ourselves to God

Romans 12:1- “…present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.”

Brothers and Sisters, Jesus warns us in Matthew 24:12 that in the last days, “Because iniquity will be multiplied, the love of many will grow cold.” So there is a greater need for us to walk in love today than ever before. Let us all start walking in love today!

“Be therefore imitators of God, as beloved children. Walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance.” Ephesians 5:1-2


The first step fulfilling God’s plan in our lives is receiving God’s free gift of eternal life. If you have not received eternal life, just ask God right now to give it to you by faith: “If you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation,” Romans 10:9, 10. Pray this prayer and mean it in your heart:

Lord Jesus,
I now turn away from my sin and I turn to you. I believed that you died for me and rose from the dead to pay the penalty for my sins. I receive now your gift of eternal life and I make you the Lord of my life. Thank you Jesus.


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