A Heart that Loves, and keeps on loving.....

A Heart that Loves, and keeps on loving. Ephesians 4.29-Ephesians 5.5

The intense afternoon heat had passed, though the early evening was pleasantly warm. A group of young people came together in the middle of summer to stay connected—to God and to each other. As I think of it, snapshots linger in my mind of first this one face and then another singing to God, re-upping their desire to be a follower. Sweet. To set up the lesson, we played charades—you know, one person gestured and mimed clues to his teammates until the correct answer was guessed—whether movie, television show, or famous person. Among them was The Lion King, Star Wars, Friends, and Michael Jackson, etc., At the end of the list, I tagged on “God”, which caused Big Dave’s eyes to get big, as he took a step back, and said, ‘Whoa…’ then commenced to reaching out to hug the air, stretch out his arms (like on a cross), and then hug again. “Jesus!” “God!”

He got it. So did they.

Then I taught from the same passage we have been studying, endeavoring to connect my dear teen-aged students with the Scriptures; oh, I so want them to see God’s Word as applicable to their lives! It is my highest desire for them to love and look to the Bible as their inspiration, as their roadmap. In the last Morning Briefing1, I answered the question of how to ‘imitate God’ by applying Paul’s teaching to daily living. Today I wish to draw it down a little further, referencing six action points:

1-Love as Christ loved

2-Treat others well

3-Speak well

4-Get rid of evil behavior

5-Seek God’s purity

6-Be grateful, not greedy

Let’s support these points a little further now, shall we?

Love as Christ loved. Sacrificially, giving of himself. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ2, who said, So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.3 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.4 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.5 Question for self: do I love sacrificially?

Treat others well. Be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving. Paul told the Colossians, “as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”6

Speak well. Say helpful things, not hurtful ones. Note to self: This means all of my communication, not just what comes out of my mouth … may it be pleasing to God! Consider Jesus’ warning: “And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”7

Get rid of evil behavior. Including anger, bitterness, and slander. Reminds me of this thought from Proverbs: There are six things the Lord hates—no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue,hands that kill the innocent,a heart that plots evil,feet that race to do wrong,a false witness who pours out lies,a person who sows discord in a family.8

Seek God’s purity. Don’t set your sails by the world’s standard, because we have a higher one. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”9

Finally, Be grateful, not greedy. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.10 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God.11

These flow from a heart that has been changed by the love of God. Once we come to know and experience God’s love, we yet must stay connected to it so that his love and his spirit will fuel us with the heart and desire to imitate him.

Christine

PastorWoman.com

1 – Morning Briefing, “Imitate God” - http://pastorwoman.com/ReadArchive.aspx?id=1207

2 – Ephesians 5.1

3 – John 13.34

4 – John 15.13

5 – Mark 12.30-31

6 – Colossians 3.12

7 – Matthew 12.36-37

8 – Proverbs 6.16-19

9 – 1 Peter 1.15-16

10-1 Thessalonians 5.18

11-Ephesians 5.5a