Walking in Love

It’s so easy to say, “I love you.” The phrase is used so much and

loosely that we tend not to really walk in the true meaning of it. It is

three simple words, but they get tossed around so much that it

doesn’t mean what it’s supposed to truly mean. We can say, “I love

you” a thousand times a day to someone, but our actions many times

do not back up those three simple but powerful words.

Saying I love you is so commonplace anymore that I really

wonder if people realize what they are saying. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 is

a passage used a lot in marriage ceremonies and is something we need

to frequently look at to see if when we say I love you our actions are

reflecting God’s definition of love. God’s word says, “Love is patient,

love is kind, and is not jealous. Love does not brag and is not

arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not

provoked does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not

rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth, bears all things,

believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

This is a clear definition of what love is and what love is not.

John 15:12 tells us, “My command is this: Love each other as I have

loved you.” John 15:17 also tells us, “This is my command: Love

each other.” Jesus is not asking us to love one another. He is not

casually telling us to walk in love only when we feel like it. He is

commanding us to love one another and to love one another as He

loves us.

Romans 12:9-18 says, “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil;

cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one

another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your

spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in

affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in

need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and

do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who

mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud but be

willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the

eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at

peace with everyone.”

This passage takes us a step further on how to walk in love

towards others. As Christians we are one body in Christ, and we need

to act that way. If we were to cut our finger, we would take our other

hand to clean the wound and put a band-aid on it. We wouldn’t let

our finger go un-nursed. The same is true of us. We need to always

be a helping hand to others and to walk in love towards the body of

Christ and to non-believers. To walk in the true meaning of love with

our spouses, children, family members and our friends.

Jesus was mistreated so many times, but He always walked in

love and most importantly, forgiveness. He never quit giving and

meeting the needs of others. We are too as well emulate Christ and

strive more and more to walk in Godly character in every situation

and with everyone. We may not always approve of another’s actions,

but we can always walk in love.

When we say, “I love you” we need to realize what we are

saying. We need to always back up those words with actions – actions

that are Christ like and that define what true love is.

What About You?

1. In what areas of your life do your words not match your

actions?

2. What does Jesus teach you about being a friend to others?

From God's Garden Tools by Gina Burns