Wednesday, June 24
“Therefore be imitators of God, as dearly loved
children;
and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you
and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” Ephesians 5:1-2
Recently, there was an intriguing video title posted on social media: “I vote for….” That title caused many people to be curious. For whom would this this person be voting? The title led to a surprising video. The creator of the video did not reveal that the vote was for a person, a position or a political party. The full tile of the video was: “I vote for LOVE!” That phrase has many possible interpretations, but for those who follow Jesus Christ “voting for love” leads to a sacrificial, self-giving lifestyle.
When Paul wrote to the Ephesian believers
“walk in love, just as Christ also loved you”
he used the Greek word “agape” (love). He didn’t use one of the other common Greek words for love. Theses more ordinary forms of love, “philos” (brotherly love), eros (physical love) and storge (familial love) fall short of agape. Agape love is what led God to send His only Son. Agape love is what led Jesus to give His life. Agape love from God leads us to walk in agape love toward others. On our own we might love others, with strings attached. But with Christ’s love in us we can love with a pure heart.
In our pandemic world, filled with social unrest, God still invites believers to
“walk in love just as Christ also loved you.”
Remember the narrative of Jesus’s life as recorded in the four Gospels. Christ loved unconditionally. Christ loved sacrificially. He would be truthful, confronting sin, but he would do so in love. This love led Jesus to address the needs of people, bringing reconciliation and hope everywhere he went.
How is Christ leading you to walk in love today?
Father God, I am flawed and without your help I am unable to love as Christ did. Please, help me to walk in Your love today as I interact with family, friends, and strangers. Amen.
