SUNDAY, 11TH MAY, 2025
YOUR LOVE-WALK – Pastor Chris
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you (Ephesians 4:31-32)
Challenges will come; they may come from people around you or those from afar, but remain unflustered. Never repay evil with evil. You must walk in love at all times. The Lord Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35).
In Matthew 5:44, the Lord said, “…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.” We’re to emulate the Lord in our love-walk. Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV, says, “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us….”
Can you take the insults without fighting back? Can you endure the blows and respond like the Master did, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”? You must overcome this hurdle. You should never entertain bitterness, as it will hinder your progress in the spirit. It doesn’t matter who you harbour bitterness against—friends, neighbours, strangers, family—it’ll impede your growth.
Bitterness and all negative emotions are clogs in the wheel of progress; therefore, get rid of them from your life and choose the love-way. Love is more than a smile or a kind exchange of words. It’s a state of your heart that you live out. It starts in your heart, and then you act on it. You develop a genuine concern and appreciation for others. You see God in them because they belong to Him. When this becomes real to you, your life will be inspiring and impactful. Praise God!
CONFESSIONI choose to walk in love, just as Christ loved me and gave Himself for me. I embrace the love-way and respond with kindness; I’m quick to forgive. Thank you, Lord, for making me an expression of your love, bringing healing, joy and peace to those around me, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY
Ephesians 4:31-32
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Ephesians 5:1-2
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 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.
1 John 4:7-8
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: John 5:31-47 & 1 Kings 7-8
2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Mark 9:30-37 & Numbers 14
