Walking the Way of Love

February 11, 2024
Walking the Way of Love

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 5: 1, 2 (NIV)

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 5: 1, 2 (MSG)

Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.

Message:  “Walk the Way of Love”

Definition of Love (Love thy neighbour?)

What is your definition of love?

How do you love?

Take a moment to think about this for a moment - it is Valentine’s day this week…

The Google dictionary says love is:  “an intense feeling of deep affection” or “a great interest and pleasure in something”

Intense feeling and great interest… perhaps easy to identify with this definition of love when it comes to those who are close to you

Like in Greek word of “Eros” - meaning erotic love for your soul mate… intense and great interest - this week with Valentine’s day we will express and celebrate this intense feeling of love

But what about love for your neighbour?  

That is something different - as expressed in the Greek word “Agape” (brotherly love)

Somehow we find it harder to define this kind of love as an intense feeling or a great interest…

We would say “it is just not the same…” 

And you would be correct in  saying that “Eros” and “Agape” are not the same

That does not mean “Agape” should not be an intense feeling or a feeling of great interest

Alas, this is where I often feel that we fall short in loving our neighbour… a lack of intensity and a lack of interest…

Jesus’ love is best described as “Agape” - as is also described by Paul in our Scripture reading…

The example of Jesus’ love is that of intense love and a love of great interest in the interactions He had with people…

When we say we are followers of Jesus, His way of loving is what we should aspire to…

Being a Christian is per definition loving those around you in a different way…

We are called to love differently!

Love = To see someone through the eyes of God

How did Jesus I do that?

How did He love so much intensity and with great interest?

I think the answer to this question lies in the way Jesus saw the people He interacted with…

Remember His Father sent Him because He loved the world so much

Remember that God is the God of love - He is love

I think Jesus saw the people He interacted with the love of His Father

He saw people through the eyes of His Father 

In his interactions with people, Jesus showed the love of God 

He changed the perception of God… God is an angry God Who is looking to find fault… God is a loving God Who is looking to save!

And it is with the loving eyes of God that Jesus saw the people around Him

Perhaps this where we can grow in following Jesus: 

We can learn to see each other through the eyes of God!

We can re-define what it means to love our neighbour by seeing each other through the eyes of God

Take a moment to think about the person that irritated you most this week - see that person through the eyes of God!

Think about the person that made you angry this week - see that person through the eyes of God!

Think about the person that owes you - see that person through the eyes of God!

Think about the person that caused pain in your life - I know this is hard to imagine, but God loves that person deeply and you will do well to see even that person through the eyes of God (without condoning their behaviour)

I believe that there is healing to be found when we learn to see each other through the eyes of God

Let’s remind ourselves of Jesus’ words on the cross:  “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they're doing...” (Luke 23: 34)

How do I walk the way of love? (Practical)

So, how do I do that?

In the words of Paul, how do I walk the way of love?

Here’s a few ideas:

Walk the Way of Love

This year Valentine’s Day falls on Ash Wednesday

What a great reminder for us all to love differently, deeper and more unconditional!

You are called to see the people around through God’s eyes

You are called to upon the person that cross your path with love - the love of God!

You are called to love with an intense feeling

You are called to love with great interest

Hear God calling today:  You are called to walk the way of love, just as Jesus walked the way of love for you!

AMEN


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