loving

Ephesians 5

1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do,

     because you are his dear children.

2 Live a life filled with love,

     following the example of Christ.

He loved us

     and offered himself as a sacrifice for us,

        a pleasing aroma to God.



"Live a life of love..."

Paul wrote that to the Christ followers in Ephesus.

Billy Graham has been attributed to have said this...

     "It is the Holy Spirit's job to convict, God's job to judge, & my job to love.

And Jesus said

     "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

     "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35)


These days, especially in America, we as Christ followers may be thought of & depicted many times as a lot of things...

     But one of the things we are SELDOM described as is being a people who love others well.

And somewhere along the line in the last 20 or so years we've seemed to have lost our vision as lovers & have accepted a far different role as a lot of other things.

We've lost the knowledge that our primary role is to love people.


When Jesus was asked what is the greatest commandment (a story told in all 4 Gospels - something rare) He basically said,

     "Love God with all your heart, soul, mind & strength."

     "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Iow, Jesus boiled it all down to 4 words...

     Love God, love others.

     (Sounds like a great tattoo to me! ;-) LOL)


So, how are we supposed to become what appears to be a powerhouse of love?

Here's what Billy Graham is attributed to have said on the matter...

     “Only God can give us a selfless love for others, as the Holy Spirit changes us from within.

     "This is one reason we must receive Christ,

     "for apart from His Spirit we can never be freed from the chains of selfishness, jealousy, and indifference.

     "Will others see Christ's love in your life today?”

So we're not supposed to come up with this love on our own?

God channels His love through us?

Hmmm... that makes it seem far more possible for us to be loving in the way it seems He expects.


So think of the people we ran into today.

How would our day have been different if we had simply asked God to channel His love through us as we were around people today?