LIVING OUT THE LAW OF LOVE IN YOUR DAILY WALK
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⇒ Are you walking the walk of love? Is your Christian walk one of authenticity? Do you daily see yourself becoming a closer reflection of Christ?
Jesus walked the walk of love in His time on earth. He lived out the law of love. His was a divine love… a selfless, unconditional, sacrificial agape love… a perfect reflection of the nature of God. The ultimate manifestation of this love was in His sacrifice for the sins of humanity, once for all.
Love is the greatest of all virtues… and the key characteristic of a disciple of Jesus. Love is more than an emotion. It is a choice. It is a determination to emulate the character of Christ. Yet only through the Spirit’s power can we truly live out agape love in our daily walk.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Agape love is to be an integral part of a believer’s core beliefs. In this familiar passage, the apostle Paul defines agape love. Although a favorite passage at weddings, it is not just for marriages. It is a guide for living out the law of love in your family, your relationships, your work, your activities, your life, your world. It details the guiding principles for your daily walk toward Christlikeness.
Attributes of Agape Love
♥ Love is patient – Patience, a fruit of the Spirit, is exhibited by a long-suffering attitude and a serene heart. Patient love waits on the Lord. It does not seek to impose its agenda on others. It is tolerant, accepting. It bears with people and endures happenings without vexation or retaliation.
♥ Love is kind – Kindness, also a fruit of the Spirit, is displayed by an attitude of thoughtfulness and a merciful heart. Kind love builds up and encourages. It reaches out to help with grace and compassion. It actively seeks to do good and ease suffering.
♥ Love does not envy – Envy covets what others have, often leading to resentment. Love without envy has an attitude of contentment and a heart of gratitude. It is expressed as a self-assured demeanor. It seeks the best for others, rejoicing in their successes and blessings.
♥ Love does not boast – Boasting, singing one’s own praises, is a vain attempt at recognition, applauding one’s value or achievements. Love without boasting is evidenced by an attitude of authenticity and a gentle heart. It seeks to glorify God instead of self.
♥ Love is not proud – Arrogant pride inflates self and deflates others, always needing to be right or to win. Love without pride features an unpretentious attitude and a humble heart. It appreciates the value and importance of others. It seeks to serve rather than be served.
♥ Love does not dishonor others – To dishonor is to be insolent, controlling, condescending, dismissing the feelings of others. Love without dishonor shows an attitude of graciousness and a noble heart. It is lived out by goodness, integrity and respect toward others.
♥ Love is not self-seeking – To be self-seeking is to be selfish, self-serving, demanding one’s own way. Love without self-seeking presents with an attitude of selflessness and a caring heart. It shows love for one’s neighbor, willing to sacrifice one’s own desires for others.
♥ Love is not easily angered – To be easily angered is to be testy, quick tempered, readily provoked. Love not easily angered exhibits a self-controlled attitude and a heart for peace. It demonstrates rein over one’s emotions, yielding to the Spirit rather than the flesh.
♥ Love keeps no record of wrongs – Keeping a record of wrongs is grudge-bearing, brooding over personal injury, often leading to bitterness. Love that keeps no record of wrongs displays an attitude of forgiveness and a charitable heart. It lets go of past offenses. It seeks harmony.
♥ Love does not delight in evil – Delighting in evil means yielding to the ways of an evil world. Love that does not delight in evil is evidenced by an attitude of goodness and a heart like God. It cherishes justice and righteousness. It overcomes evil with good.
♥ Love rejoices with the truth – Rejoicing with the truth is to align with God’s truth, opposing false teachings and wrong beliefs. Love that rejoices with the truth has an attitude of discernment and a heart of honesty. It seeks to stand strong for God and His Word.
♥ Love always protects – Protective love reflects the sheltering nature of God. It presents as an attitude of devotion and a loyal heart. It seeks to shield and safeguard relationships from harm and evil. It dedicatedly bears the burdens of others.
♥ Love always trusts – Trusting love never loses faith. It features an attitude of sincerity and a believing heart. It trusts not naively but optimistically. It seeks to be nonjudgmental, choosing to see the best in others, viewing them from God’s perspective.
♥ Love always hopes – Hopeful love trusts in God’s covenants. It is expressed by a positive attitude and a confident heart. It is unperturbed in trying and uncertain times. It places absolute faith in God’s promises to redeem, restore and prosper.
♥ Love always perseveres – Persevering love never gives up. It is evidenced by an attitude of endurance and a steadfast heart. It manifests as a resolute and resilient faith, persisting through hardship, pressing on when others fall away. It loves to the end.
♥ Love never fails – Unfailing love never wavers, never falters, never fades. It features an attitude of commitment and a faithful heart. It is dependable in good times and bad. It believes in the eternal nature of love… love that lasts through every season of life.
† Eternal Takeaway – Daily, we walk the Christian walk with the agape love of Jesus †
