The Greater Walk of Love

In a time when families are divided and church members fighting and our nation divided – I want to hold up the primary teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ and that is his commandment of Love. Jesus said “a NEW commandment give I unto you that you love one another as I have loved you!”

Jesus was speaking this word to mostly Jews (at the time) but some had different views and were from different branches of the Hebrew culture with HORRIBLE governmental oppression and dictatorial dominion. In spite of all that Jesus taught his disciples to EVEN “love” your enemies. Only a true disciple of Jesus can do this. A church member cannot do this, a “good” person cannot do this without the LOVE OF GOD on the inside dominating them. Are you truly a disciple of Jesus? If yes is the answer then this is his most basic teaching.

#1) LOVE the Lord with ALL your heart, soul, mind and strength and

#2) LOVE your neighbor as yourself.

A savior who can say “father forgive them for they know not what they do” of those who cussed him, spit on him, pulled out his beard, beat him with 39 stripes, hit his face multiple times, stuck thorns on his head, pierced his side with a sword, nailed him to a cross and left him to die….. This savior should be emulated, followed and obeyed. All Jesus is asking of us is DO THE SAME THING THAT I HAVE TAUGHT YOU TO DO!

#1) LOVE

#2) FORGIVE

#3) SACRIFICE.

Do you know when Jesus was before Pilate he didn’t even fight back or argue or defend himself.

We have “few” disciples today – Many confess to be a “believer” may may I remind you, the devil also believes and trembles but are you following? A disciple is willing to die as the master did, to follow his example. I recommend some more dying going on by you if you are truly his disciple! Do not cut yourself off from your own families because they have a different opinion politically than you. Do not hate your enemies (if you have made someone an enemy) Love your enemy as commanded.

HERE ARE A FEW SCRIPTURES FOR US TO LOOK AT AND THINK ABOUT:

1 Corinthians 13:1 If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.

1 Corinthians 13:2 If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing.

1 Corinthians 13:3 If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.

1 Corinthians 13:4 Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, Doesn’t have a swelled head,

1 Corinthians 13:5 Doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always “me first,” Doesn’t fly off the handle, Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,

1 Corinthians 13:6 Doesn’t revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,

1 Corinthians 13:7 Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.

1 Corinthians 13:8 Love never dies.

Proverbs 10:12 Hatred starts fights, but love pulls a quilt over the bickering.

1 Peter 4:8 Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything.

Luke 6:35 “I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never–I promise–regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst.

Romans 14:19 So let’s agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Help others with encouraging words;