Scripture:
Ephesians 5:1-2 – Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 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.
Observation:
We are God’s adopted children and as children follow their parents, we should follow the example of our heavenly Father. We are to follow God’s example not just in some things where we think it would be good, but in everything we do. Our lives are to be filled with love through the Spirit. Christian love is sacrificial with the greatest example being Christ’s sacrifice for all of us. A life of sacrificial love is pleasing to God.
Application:
For me this means not only displaying love to our brothers and sisters in Christ on Sunday, but also loving those who don’t think like we do, look like we do or share different worldviews on current events. When we are consistent in our love, this will lead to opportunities to share the Gospel and why we love. Our love needs to be sacrificial as modeled by the greatest sacrifice of all on the cross. In other words, I must to place others needs above my own wants and desires to serve the Church, my family, my customers, our community, our nation and the world. All of this can only be accomplished through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit within us. As I think of an example of love, I am reminded by the lyrics of the old hymn, “They will know we are Christians by Our Love.” The song and our lives will not be as rich and winsome if the lyrics to the song were, “They will Know We are Christians by What We are Against.”
Prayer:
Father, Thank you so much for your immeasurable unconditional love for us. Please use me as a vessel to share your love and your gospel as encouragement to believers and those who are yet to know your love.