SCRIPTURE: Ephesians (NIV) 5:1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
OBSERVATION: We best imitate God by loving. We are to be more than just people who love, but lovers. More than just people who love in response to love received, more than just people who love when it is easy, more than just people who love the lovely. We are to be lovers, lovers of God, lovers of our brothers and sisters, lovers of those who mistreat us, lovers of the world (in the John 3:16 sense), and lovers of the unlovely.
The best example for us to imitate is that of Jesus Christ who loved us while we were yet sinners. His love cost, not others, but Himself. He loved to the point of great personal sacrifice. That is what we are to imitate–His holy love!
APPLICATION: I am to love “just as Christ loved” me. Jesus tells me to love, but He does more, He also gave me his example. He tells me and He shows me, but He even does more! By His Holy Spirit He lives in me!! (Ephesians 1:17-20) The same Holy Spirit that lived in Jesus as He walked this earth now lives in me! He can lead me to love as Jesus loved. He can show me what to do to express the Jesus-love. He can give me the “want to” when it is hard.
The only one who can love like Jesus, is Jesus. If He wants me to love like Jesus, He will need to come and live in me and express His love through me! AMAZING! THAT IS WHAT HE DOES!!!
PRAYER: Lord, to love like you, I need your help. No, Lord, I need more than your help…I need YOU! Thank you for living in me and never leaving me. Amen
Pastor Leon
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