LOVE LIKE CHRIST – Pastor Chris
WED MAY 25 2022
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8 NIV).
If someone does something that upsets or offends you, rather than become bitter or enraged, let it go. Jesus showed us a good example of how to walk in love. He loved everyone, including His accusers and persecutors. Then He tells us in Matthew 5:44, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”
Emulate the Master. Have the love language and culture. Love everyone unconditionally. The Bible says, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (1 Peter 2:21-23).
Someone once asked, “In the case where the people you respect are those that hurt you, what should you do?” Honour them nonetheless. Love them. Grow out of that place where you can still be hurt. Live in God’s Word. Live like Christ and love like Him: “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 sweetsmelling savour” (Ephesians 5:1-2).
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 AMPC says, “Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end] ….”
PRAYER / CONFESSION
Dear Father, thank you for the love of Christ which is the bond of perfection and which rules my heart always. I lavishly express your love-nature and radiate the beauty and glories of heaven to my world. Always, I rise above offences, being accommodating and kind; I cover others with the umbrella of your love that flows lavishly from the castle of my heart, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY
Colossians 3:12-14 GNB; John 13:34-35; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
1 Corinthians 12:12-21; Proverbs 21
