“Yes, may you come to know His love—although it can never be fully known—and so be completely filled with the very nature of God.” (Ephesians 3:19)
This Scripture tells us that we may come to know His love. But we really will not be able to understand it. It’s beyond our human understanding that Jesus who created the world and was surrounded with angels singing Hallelujahs would humble Himself and leave a place of perfect peace and perfect love to be born a baby, take on human flesh and be confronted by all the ills of this world, jealousy, pride, idolatry and rebellion. And He did it for love. “And I pray that Christ will make His home in your hearts through faith. I pray that you may have your roots and foundation in love, so that you, together with all God's people, may have the power to understand how broad and long, how high and deep, is Christ's love.” (Ephesians 3:17-18)
As disciples of Jesus, we follow His example. Jesus walked in love because He is love. If He truly abides in you and you in Him, love is part of you. It’s His essence which has been poured out on us and which we carry with us. It should be so much a part of us that it’s evident to the world that we have been and are in His Presence. “And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples." (John 13:34-35) Paul wrote to the Ephesians about living a life of love. “Your life must be controlled by love, just as Christ loved us and gave His life for us as a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice that pleases God.” (Ephesians 5:2)
Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “Do all your work in love.” (1Corinthians 16:14) That word all means all, any and everything is to be done and performed with love, affection and benevolence. The 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians is called the love chapter. It states that we may do great works, speak in tongues, give and serve, but if we don’t have love, we’re nothing and useless. Paul finishes the chapter with a profound statement. “Meanwhile these three remain: faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is love.” (1Corinthians 13:13) The greatest of the gifts that God gives us is love. It’s part of Him and evidence of Him in our lives.
This is an impossibility on our own strength and in our own ability. It’s the way of the world we live in and part of our flesh. But we will be able to live in love and mercy with the help of the Holy Spirit. It requires what Paul called “dying to self.” When we do that, then we can live a life that pleases God. “So that it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. This life that I live now, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave His life for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
That phrase “dying to self” doesn’t sound like something we want to do. But it’s the life that John the Baptist lived. He baptized and taught the kingdom of God, knowing that He had to point to the Messiah Who was greater than him. “He must become more important while I become less important." (John 3:30) And that is the key, making Jesus more important than ourselves. Paul explained it to the Galatians. “So that it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. This life that I live now, I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave His life for me. I refuse to reject the grace of God. But if a person is put right with God through the Law, it means that Christ died for nothing!” (Galatians 2:20-21) It’s by faith in Jesus that we can do it, not by dos and don’ts of the Law. The Word of God makes it clear that our lives should be lived in love and subject to the Will of God as the Spirit guides us. “And those who belong to Christ Jesus have put to death their human nature with all its passions and desires. The Spirit has given us life; He must also control our lives.” (Galatians 5:24-25)
Commenti