Chapter 5 The Love Walk

Man is essentially a relational being. The quality of one's relationships with others determines the quality of life. We are all dependent on one another-God designed it that way.

As believers, we must learn to relate to others-both saved and unsaved-in a way that reflects God's love. We are called to live as God lives, to connect with others as He does, and to express His very life and nature in every aspect of our lives.

The first fruit produced through our recreated human spirit is love. This is not the world's version of love but God's very own kind of love. As believers in Christ, we are called to connect and relate with other people in love. Our love for God is demonstrated through our love for others.

Walking in Love

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour."-Ephesians 5:1-2

It's important to recognize that some believers have been unconsciously programmed through wrong teachings that are inconsistent with God written Word (the Bible) to be judgmental, hardened, and unfeeling toward others, including fellow believers. We have allowed the cultures and traditions of our environment to influence us and shape the way we live.

There are churches and believers who won't help a fellow believer unless that person belongs to their particular denomination. Many times, when pastors disagree, they rally their congregations against each other. Some denominations even claim to be the only true Church of Jesus Christ, suggesting that if you don't belong to their particular group, you're not saved and will certainly go to hell.

However, when you study the love of God, especially as demonstrated by Jesus Christ in the New Testament, you'll see that there's something wrong with how many of us think and live today. We've become so fanatical and religious that we no longer accommodate each other. A love that doesn't accommodate others is not from God-it's devilish.

We are told to be imitators or followers of God as His dear children by walking in love just as Jesus loved us. This is how we show that we are truly followers and children of God. A follower of God must walk in the way of God and a child of God must live the life of God. We demonstrate God's love by the way we love the people around us.

The Power of Love

Nothing builds a community like love. Nothing binds a family together like love. Nothing unifies a people like love. You don't necessarily have to agree to love; you love to agree. Love births agreement.

We are commanded to love others, whether they agree with us or not, whether they love us or not. The family, community, church and relationships are under threat because of some teachings circulating in Christian circles today. Children now look at their parents as the source of their misfortunes. We must rise against this cancer with the true love of God.

A Different Kind of Love

We can achieve so much more if we commit to a lifestyle of unselfish, selfless, and unconditional love. The Great Commission would be fulfilled much faster if we would walk in love. Our churches will be edified and built up in love if each of us commits to walking in love among ourselves. Unbelievers will see our love and be drawn to Jesus. Love is stronger than death.

"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." -Romans 5:5

God has shed His love abroad in the hearts of those who believe in Jesus. The Holy Spirit communicates this God-kind of love to us. However, we each have a responsibility to yield to the Holy Spirit and walk in love-even when it doesn't seem convenient or makes no sense.

The phrase "I can't please you and displease myself" is not the language of love. It is the devil's language, and sadly, some have accepted it as "common sense," even within the church. Let's focus on Jesus and align our doctrinal understanding with His life and character.

As believers in Christ, we can be certain that whatever contradicts the life and character of Jesus Christ is doctrinally wrong. Jesus displeased Himself to please us, and we are commanded to love others in the same way He loves us-no more and no less. He gave up His life so that we might live. Jesus Himself said, "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends." (John 15:13 )

Sincere Love, Our Kingdom's Way of Life

Sincere and honest love is our Kingdom's way of life. It is one of the major fruits of our recreated human spirit. God is love, and we are sons and daughters of love. Love is our true nature. We don't have another side-we are love in every way, just as God is love in every way.

As we walk in this love, we reflect the very nature of our Heavenly Father. In a world that is often filled with selfishness, hate, and division, the love walk stands as a powerful testimony to the world of who we are in Christ and what He desires for all people.

By embracing God's kind of love, we not only transform our own lives but also impact the lives of those around us. Let's commit to walking in love, as Christ walked in love, and see how much we can accomplish for the Kingdom of God.

Reflection Questions

1. How have cultural or denominational biases affected the way you relate to other believers or unbelievers, and how can you realign with God's love?

2. In what areas of your life is it most difficult for you to walk in love, and what steps can you take to yield more fully to the Holy Spirit in those areas?

3. Are there people or groups you struggle to love because they disagree with you or don't fit your expectations? How can you reflect Christ's unconditional love toward them?

4. How does your daily life testify to the nature of God's love, and what changes can you make to live more fully as a child of love in a divided world?