Walk in Love

Ephesians 5:1-2a

Why is it important to walk in love? Ephesians 5: 1 -2 states “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling saviour.” These two verses answer why believers are to walk in love. Additionally, if we as believers are to follow God’s example on love who gave His best for humanity’s sins and Christ’s Calvary encounter was the ultimate display of love for mankind. This display of love depicts the true heart of God and the obedience of His Son. Furthermore, being a Christian means being Christ-like, then we are to walk humbly in love to God. Amy Carmichael’s saying on love, “If I put my own good name before the other’s highest good, then I know nothing of Calvary love.”

The question is how do Christians show the world love? Romans 12:10, states, “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.” Scriptures instructing believers on love are 1 Thessalonians 4:9b states, “ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.” In 1 John 4:11-12, “If we love one another, and “God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.” Love has been the message since the beginning of time will continue to resonate throughout the ages as we are to love God first then one another; love begins and ends with God. What greater love that a man will lay down his life for his friends, which is what Christ did for humanity. Jesus called His disciples friends and you and I are considered friends upon establishing a relationship with Jesus.

We have discussed how Christians show the world love; let’s discuss the benefits of walking in love. Christians are commissioned to serve as God’s ambassadors who carry His message throughout the world. As Christ’s ambassador we are let our light shine before God so men may see our good works and want to be saved. The world is to see Christ manifested in our daily lives. Believers are the salt of the earth; seasoning the earth with the gospel message of Christ. Matthew 28:19-20 is known as the great commission for all believers who are commissioned to go into every nation making disciples not just converts. Christ is with His ambassadors in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Christ promised to be with His followers to the ends of the world, and believers can stand on this promise. What is a disciple? A disciple is a follower of Christ who is committed to following Christ with their whole hearts, minds, wills and has committed themselves to Christ and His kingdom purposes. Believers are to live separated lives as sojourners in a foreign land, which is what we are; because heaven is our true home.
What is believers’ lifestyle? Believers practice a lifestyle of daily holy living, because believers are of the royal priesthood which sets us apart as a holy nation for a special service for the Lord. Some of those special services include, (a) being a living sacrifice of holy obedience to God and not conforming to this world, (b) offering our petitions, prayer and praise to God on behalf of others, (c) performing good deeds, (d) giving material possessions as required, and (e) presenting our bodies to God as instruments of righteousness ( KJV LSPSB).

Final question, what are the blessings from walking in God’s love? The blessings from walking in God’s love result in believers being made holy which separates us from the world and delivers us from the bondage sin that we may have an intimate fellowship with God and gladly serve Him until we reach our heavenly home. Believers have separation by accepting Christ’s atoning death on the cross through faith. Sanctification is an ongoing process that requires believers to remain in constant communion with Christ. Believers are blessed with the Hoy Spirit who leads guides and protects us while calming the trouble waters of our souls. We are kept in unity with God by the constant anointing of the Holy Spirit through daily Bible reading and prayer. How is your Christian walk? Is it in love?