WALKING IN LOVE - Ephesians 5:1-2
What is love? It's a strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties. It's also an unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another.
Types of love
- "Eros" or Erotic love
- "Storge" or Familiar love
- "Philia" or Affectionate love
- "Ludus" or Playful love
- "Mania" or Obsessive love
- "Pragma" or Enduring love
- "Philautia" or Self love
- "Agape" or Selfless love.
Why should I love?
- It's a commandment (John 13:34,35 NIV)
- We are bankrupt without Love!
“If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.” (1 Cor 13:1-3 Message Bible)
Love without limits (John 21:15-17)
How can I show love?
1. Help them out of a tight spot - John 2:1-11 (Wedding of Cana)
2. Get them help when you can't help them - Mark 2:1-12 (Friends drop their friend from roof for Jesus to help him.
3. Pray for them - The Bible is full of people praying for the ones they love. The church prayed for Peter in jail (Acts 12:5 ). Jesus prayed for the disciples (John 17:6-19 ). Paul prayed for the Ephesian believers (Ephesians 1:15-23 ).
4. Rebuke them when needed - Sometimes the best way we can love someone is by graciously confronting their sinful, destructive behavior
(Proverbs 27:6 , Matthew 18:15-17 ).
5. Freely forgive offenses - Matthew 18:21-22 (70 x 7)
6. Meet their physical needs - Scripture is clear. If we see a brother in need, have the means to help but don't, our love for God should be questioned (1 John 3:17 ).
7. Show kindness to someone they love - King David expressed his deep bond of friendship for Jonathan by caring for Jonathan's crippled son Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:1-13 ).
8. Help two loved ones work out their differences - Does strife exist between two people you love? Be a mediator and help them mend their relationship. Paul asked the believers in Philippi to help two women in their church who were at odds (Philippians 4:2-3 ).
9. Introduce them to Jesus - Does a loved one desperately need to know Jesus? Share the Good News! Andrew introduced his brother Peter to Jesus (John 1:35-42 ).
10. Encourage and disciple them in their relationship with Christ - The author of Hebrews tells us to "spur one another on to good works" and "encourage one another" daily (Hebrews 10:24-25 ).
BENEFITS OF WALKING IN LOVE:
God has not called people to seek Him in vain. It pays to walk in love in obedience to God’s word. Walking in the love of God not only gives you eternal life in heaven but also great earthly benefits. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome – 1 John 5:3 (NKJV)
1. Blessings - Deuteronomy 28:1-2 (NKJV)
2. Identification with Jesus - John 13:34-35 (NKJV)
Love is the symbol of Christianity. The summary of the New Testament is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and to love your neighbour as yourself. Obeying this command, distinguishes you as a follower of Christ.
3. Destruction of fear and torments - 1 John 4:18 (NKJV)
4. Perfection of love - 1 John 4:17 (NKJV)
5. Duplication of Jesus on earth - 1 John 4:17 (NKJV)
6. Confidence on the day of judgement - 1 John 4:17 (NIV).
A walk in love builds up the confidence that you will be accepted by God on the day of judgement: you will be at peace, without shame and reproach. You will not be afraid of death because you are sure of eternity with Jesus.
7. God’s presence - John 14:23 (NKJV)
8. Joy and pleasure - Psalm 16:11 (NKJV)
9. Answered prayers - John 15:7 (NIV)
10. Contentment - Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV)
Don't forget the first and the most important commandment: Love God and live your neighbor as yourself.
This message was gotten from my Facebook page
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