Explore and understand the importance of living, speaking, and walking in love as commanded by God.
Good morning, dear church family. We're diving into Ephesians 4 today, diving into what it means to live, speak, and walk in love. Love is such a simple word, yet it holds immense power and profound depth.
As C.S. Lewis once said, "Christian love, either towards God or towards man, is an affair of the will." How beautiful and true that is!
Let me read from Ephesians 4:1-16, where Paul urges us to
Living in love, as Paul urges us in Ephesians 4, is a call to action that requires us to embody the very essence of love in our daily lives. It's not merely about expressing love through words or gestures, but about making love the foundation of our existence, the lens through which we view the world, and the driving force behind our actions.
A radical transformation of our hearts and minds: It's about allowing God's love to permeate every aspect of our lives, influencing our thoughts, decisions, and interactions. This kind of love is not a fleeting emotion or a temporary state of mind. It's a steadfast commitment to embodying the love of Christ in all we do.
Being patient and kind, not envious or boastful: It means not being proud, rude, or self-seeking. It means not easily getting angry and keeping no record of wrongs. It means not delighting in evil but rejoicing in the truth. It means always protecting, always trusting, always hoping, always persevering. This is the kind of love that Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 13, and it's the kind of love that we're called to live in.
Being humble and gentle: Humility and gentleness are not signs of weakness, but rather, they are signs of strength. They are signs of a heart that has been touched by God's love and a spirit that is willing to put others before self.
Bearing with one another in love: This means being patient with each other's faults and failures, forgiving each other as God has forgiven us, and supporting each other in times of difficulty. It's about creating a community of love where everyone feels valued, accepted, and loved.
Making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit: We need to do this through the bond of peace. This means striving for unity in our relationships, in our families, in our churches, and in our communities. It's about working towards reconciliation and peace, even in the face of conflict and disagreement.
Not easy: It requires sacrifice, patience, and perseverance. It requires us to die to our selfish desires and to live for Christ. But the rewards of living in love are immeasurable. When we live in love, we experience the fullness of God's presence in our lives. We become channels of His love, bringing hope, healing, and transformation to those around us.
Speaking in love is a call to communicate with others in a way that is kind, compassionate, and truthful ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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